bmibaby, a subsidiary of UK-based British Midland Airways Limited (bmi), has closed its operations, as of September 9, 2012, as its new owners, International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, failed to find a buyer for the company.
It was hoped that a buyer would come forward to take on the loss-making airline and its staff, but IAG warned that if that option failed, the company would close. The company’s operations have been closely controlled, with flights being reduced from early June this year.
In a statement the airline said, ‘On September 9th 2012, bmibaby flew its last ever flight. Thanks to everyone who has flown with us over the years. It has been so much fun, baby!’
The airline has ceased its operations after IAG carried out a 90-day consultation process with 450 its employees.
Bmibaby was launched in 2002 by Bmi, as a low cost airline operating from UK airports. The airline was previously owned by Lufthansa, a German airline company, and was only recently sold to British International Airlines Group (IAG). The airline had operated with a fleet of 14 B737 aircraft, providing around 700 services per week.
The routes that the airline flew will be operated by other UK based airlines, including Flybe and Monarch, from East Midlands airport.
Flybe has recently expanded its flights from East Midlands Airport, offering new services to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
IAG has previously sold a sister airline of bmibaby, Bmi Regional, to Scotland based Sector Aviation, for £8 million.
