Well, we're down to the final week of the hopefully will close the Lufthansa saga of owning British Midland Airways - or BMI as the rest of us know it as. The sale is down to the European Regulators either a yay... or nay. The EU Anti-Trust regulators have extended the provisional deadline for a decision on the acquisition from 16th March to 30th March Both Lufthansa and … [Read more...]
Office of Fair Trading nods through IAG/BMI deal – off to the EU for clearance
The take over of British Midland Airways Ltd has taken another step closer today according to Office of Fair Trading According to the statement: The OFT today announced that it has decided not to make a request to the European Commission for a UK review of the proposed acquisition by International Airline Group (IAG) of bmi from Lufthansa. The OFT will continue to work … [Read more...]
Surprise Surprise. Virgin makes a complaint over the BMI takeover by IAG
Well, if you couldn't see this coming... you need new glasses. Virgin Group today lodged a formal complaint at the European Commission over International Consolidated Airlines Group takeover of British Midland Airways. Virgin group argues there will be a " "choice of one" on flights between Aberdeen and Edinburgh and Heathrow (ignoring the small matter of flights to other … [Read more...]
IAG to merge BMI in upon completion of takeover
From the IAG Traffic Stats document, it seems the British Airways pilots have voted to integrate BMI Mainline (A319/A320/A321/A330) into the British Airways arm after the merger is approved IAG plans to integrate bmi mainline into British Airways, subject to receiving regulatory approval for the acquisition. This follows agreement by British Airways’ pilots to make … [Read more...]
BMI Baby saved? Possibly…
It seems that fortune is smiling on BMI Baby with the announcement that someone is actually interested in buying the little airline. The low cost carrier operating a fleeting Classic Boeing 737-300's and 737-500's, has been sold to a new potential owner who has not disclosed who they are. Financial terms have not been disclosed either. However, the talks are … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week – Things to think about…
Well I was going to write about the Virgin threat, but lets be frank - It isn't creditable unless they manage to throw a big spanner with the EC/Monopolies Commission. So let me wrap up this discussion for a bit - until it all goes pear shaped (which knowing BMI - is entirely likely) Status - If you've got to a certain point, hang on tight. If you're short before say April, … [Read more...]
BMI Futures Week: What about the Baby? (The BMI Baby that is)
There's been am Elephant in the Room in the sale of British Midland Airways to Interational Consolidated Airlines Group, and it's been BMI Baby. The Low Cost Carrier (operating a fleet of 737-300/500 aircraft, based out of various UK airports) has been a questionmark in the sale of the sale - with IAG getting a discount from Lufthansa if they failed to sell the unit … [Read more...]
BMI’s Prock-Schauer rallys to the troops ahead of the sale…
As we are all aware (or if you've been living under a rock), British Midland Ltd - comprising of British Midland International, BMI Baby and BMI Regional is on the block to be sold by Lufthansa to International Consolidated Airlines Group (owners of British Airways and Iberia) with Virgin Atlantic making grumbling noises in the background. Well a post on the FlyerTalk BMI … [Read more...]
BMI to leave Star Alliance upon sale completion
Looking through the slide deck from the IAG have published on their investors relations site, it is now confirmed that BMI's membership of Star Alliance will terminate upon completion of the purchase of BMI by IAG. The transaction is due to be completed by 31st March 2012, subject to regulatory approvals. The slide deck also reveals a few more features: BA will be … [Read more...]
From the horses mouths: Lufthansa and IAG on the BMI sale
The press releases for today's big announcement today of the sale of British Midland Airways to International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) First up, Lufthansa - http://presse.lufthansa.com/en/news-releases/singleview/archive/2011/december/22/article/2054.html Following the announcement on November 4, 2011, Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) and International Airlines … [Read more...]