Last ever bmibaby flight lands

[Saxondale]

A couple of hours ago, the last ever bmibaby flight landed at East Midlands Airport.

bmibaby was the low-cost subsidiary of Leicestershire-based British Midland International, recently sold by Lufthansa to BA. As BA had no plans to retain bmibaby and no buyer for the airline could be found, operations ceased, meaning the loss of several hundred jobs at their Castle Donington headquarters.

British Midland were the forerunners of the budget flight philosophy after first competing against the flag carriers in the 80s, offering lower cost alternative fares to regional destinations. The bmibaby brand operated for around 10 years.

Some of the former bmibaby routes from EMA are to served by Monarch Airlines.

EDIT: The last ever flight, WW5330 from Malaga, arrived three minutes late at 22.48.

[FoxesAreBlue]

A couple of hours ago, the last ever bmibaby flight landed at East Midlands Airport.

bmibaby was the low-cost subsidiary of Leicestershire-based British Midland International, recently sold by Lufthansa to BA. As BA had no plans to retain bmibaby and no buyer for the airline could be found, operations ceased, meaning the loss of several hundred jobs at their Castle Donington headquarters.

British Midland were the forerunners of the budget flight philosophy after first competing against the flag carriers in the 80s, offering lower cost alternative fares to regional destinations. The bmibaby brand operated for around 10 years.

Some of the former bmibaby routes from EMA are to served by Monarch Airlines.

Shame for the people who are losing their jobs but they were an awful airline, had the misfortune of using them a couple of times before I learnt my lesson.

[ozleicester]

Used the BMI to Malaga route last year, simple efficient holiday option. Sad to see the fall of BMI and the loss of jobs.

[Monk]

BMI baby was a pretty shite airline. Very old fleet, dirty planes and ryanair style pricing.

I see the Edinburgh to EMA route has been taken up by FlyBe who in my opinion aren't bad.

[Steven]

Shame for the people who are losing their jobs but they were an awful airline, had the misfortune of using them a couple of times before I learnt my lesson.

Agreed and for the record BMI are the only airline that has ever bumped me off a flight. I can now end my boycott of that airline and subsidiaries.

[Guest Col city fan]

I flew just once with them, earlier this year to Malta and found they were fine. Certainly no worse in any respect than any other budget airline.

[Libertine Dream]

Its a shame, a good local airline and always a better option than Ryanair with not too disimilar prices. Apparently they gave the aircraft a water cannon salute and most staff were there to see it come onto stand. Goodluck to those staff getting new jobs

[Zingari]

silly name for an airline

[davieG]

I used them once when they conned me into taking out a credit card with the promise of a free flight that never materialised.

I know Ryanair gets some stick but I've used them 7 times and never had a single problem.

[Fox92]

Didn't know that Monarch are using some of BMI's old flights, should be good considering EMA's biggest airline is probably Thomson.

Kegworth disaster involved a British Midland Boeing 737.

I've never flown with BMI Baby though, although I used to fly with Monarch alot, who are a good airline. Monarch's livery is one of the best as well.

[purpleronnie]

I only travel 1st class, so no idea what people are talking about.

[Zingari]

I only travel 1st class, so no idea what people are talking about.

Pfft , don’t you even own a Lear jet or anything ?

[Guest]

I flew BMI Baby several times between Bordeaux and East Mids. Found them courteous and good value for money.

I'd rate them much much higher than Ryanair who I have no wish to fly with again.

Budget airlines should operate as an alternative everywhere. The price of non-budget flights is ridiculous and clearly lives off ripping businesses to keep their travelling businessmen happy.

[purpleronnie]

Pfft , don’t you even own a Lear jet or anything ?

not yet...

[ADK]

To be honest i've found ryanair to be the best of the budget airlines. Cheapest and never had any trouble with them.

Still if i can book well in advance, BA is not too expensive and you get a piece of luggage included in the price.

[Libertine Dream]

The aircraft have now all departed EMA and BHX to either Norwich or Lasham which signals the end of an era

[Webbo]

BMI baby changed the time of our return flight from Amsterdam without telling us meaning we missed our flight. It was a fecking nightmare getting home the missus had to fly back to Birmingham on her own and I had to fly to Manchester and get a train to Leicester and then get a lift to EMA to pick the car up. Tbf they did reimburse our expenses.

[Monk]

Ultimately I think the closure of BMI baby will make UK domestic flights more competitive as airlines like FlyBe, EasyJet and Ryanair expand to fill the gap.

[Saxondale]

They had a reputation amongst the travel press as being the most civilised of the no-frills airlines. That said, they were never the cheapest - though they did (at one point) have the most transparent fare structure.

I used to use them a lot to catch the early morning 'red eye' flight to Glasgow and usually found them fine. Did have one hiccup with them when I forgot to do my online check-in (I was pissed) and then had to pay extra to check in at the airport!

Ultimately I think the closure of BMI baby will make UK domestic flights more competitive as airlines like FlyBe, EasyJet and Ryanair expand to fill the gap.

I don't see how taking one competitor out of the market makes the market more competitive? I think the widely-held concern is the opposite effect!

[JoeyB]

Its a shame, a good local airline and always a better option than Ryanair with not too disimilar prices. Apparently they gave the aircraft a water cannon salute and most staff were there to see it come onto stand. Goodluck to those staff getting new jobs

all the old staff went in to see it, and they held a party, but yes the last plane did get a water cannon salute, which is quite touching, end of an era and quite a few people have lost jobs

Didn't know that Monarch are using some of BMI's old flights, should be good considering EMA's biggest airline is probably Thomson.

Kegworth disaster involved a British Midland Boeing 737.

I've never flown with BMI Baby though, although I used to fly with Monarch alot, who are a good airline. Monarch's livery is one of the best as well.

the biggest airline opperating out of EMA is actually ryanair, who at the peak have 20+ flights a day compared to Thomsons 7, thens its probably Jet 2 who have the most flights out now after ryanair, or possibly Flybe when they expand to possibly 12+ flights through the winter period.

[Monk]

I'm aware of at least two of those airlines I mentioned are going on a big marketing push right now and are looking to expand their UK routes. For example, Easyjet have just stationed 2 additional aircraft at Edinburgh and BMI have purchased a couple of twin prop De Haviland Dash's to be based at EMA I believe.

http://www.flybe.com/corporate/media/news/1207/25.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-19420055

[Nick]

Loved EMA to the Dam - 45 minutes to a different land........... and 'back in the day', £35 quid return.

[Fox92]

the biggest airline opperating out of EMA is actually ryanair, who at the peak have 20+ flights a day compared to Thomsons 7, thens its probably Jet 2 who have the most flights out now after ryanair, or possibly Flybe when they expand to possibly 12+ flights through the winter period.

I was referring to the size/reputation of the airline, instead of how many flights each airline charters out of EMA. Thomson is still growing, and operates at our smaller (such as East Midlands) and bigger airports (such as Birmingham)

[Libertine Dream]

I was referring to the size/reputation of the airline, instead of how many flights each airline charters out of EMA. Thomson is still growing, and operates at our smaller (such as East Midlands) and bigger airports (such as Birmingham)

I'd argue if you take Thomson as simply the Airline side and ignore the fact its owned by TUI, then Ryanair is a bigger airline.

I'm not sure how it'll affect EMA, but I hope it isn't a sign of things to come for the airline business, too little competition in my opinion, need a couple more competitors to come along really