In some good news, it seems that talks with Granite Aviation and IAG are in progress over the long term fate of BMI Regional.
BMI Regional is the arm of BMI that runs services from some of the UK Regional airports – as well has having a heavy Scottish presence. They operate a fleet of 4 Embraer ERJ-135’s and 15 ERJ-145’s, focusing on high value traffic, employing 330 people.
Doubt had been cast by IAG’s Willie Walsh on offloading the airline which IAG obtained with the purchase of BMI.
Granite Aviation is in advanced talks with IAG over the sale of the division for about £20m, with an announcement possible in the next two weeks.
Granite Aviation was negotiating with Lufthansa over the sale of BMI Regional before, but these discussions came to nothing due to differences. Granite Aviation still lacks the infrastructure to support these aircraft however – something that would have to be addressed if the sale is to go ahead.
If the regional deal goes ahead, Granite Aviation could take on the BMI brand when IAG stops using it on BMI’s mainstream services – letting the BMI name live on.
For the staff involved, lets hope it goes through. However, there are 470 people at BMI Baby that are hoping to be rescued yet…
