bmi reveals name of low-cost operation

BMI BRITISH Midland is to name its new low-cost carrier bmibaby, as predicted by Travel Weekly (January 14).

An official launch party will take place next week when the airline’s branding will be unveiled.

Former bmi director of government and corporate relations Tony Davis has taken on the position of bmibaby’s managing director.

He used the announcement of the East Midlands-based carrier’s name to criticise rival airline Go, which accused bmi of being in “disarray” when it announced its intention to enter the low-cost market.

“I am looking forward to the competition that bmibaby will bring to the East Midlands. Indeed, I fully understand why Go has thrown its toys out of the pram.

“Their disappointment must surely be because their desperate attempts to pre-empt our own plans, with an announcement of unspecific promises of phantom services at east Midlands airport, did not thwart our own long held ambition to launch a no frills airline.”

BMIBABY will use a dedicated fleet of Boeing 737-300 aircraft to serve a number of popular summer sun destinations including Faro, Alicante, Malaga and Palma. It will commence operations on March 23 and fares will lead in at £25.