BMI has moved to quell rumours the airline is in merger
talks with codeshare partner Virgin Atlantic.
The carrier said it talks regularly with Virgin, but
insisted a tie-up was not on the agenda. In a statement it said: “There
are no ongoing discussions in relation to a merger.”
BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop said: “We talk to all
airlines from time to time and we have codeshare arrangements with Virgin, but
all airlines around the world discuss issues.”
The move came after a Virgin spokeswoman said the two
airlines had held talks on a “range of issues”, sparking rumours of a
possible acquisition of Sir Michael’s airline