Bmi continues to bat back questions concerning its future ownership as speculation mounts as to what chairman Sir Michael Bishop will do.

Bishop retains a controlling stake in the UK airline – Heathrow’s second largest – but it is unclear what course of action its major shareholders – SAS and Lufthansa – may take.

Addressing the Aviation Club in London, Bishop said: “Whether bmi remains independent and grows through acquisition or whether the shareholders decide another course, we will not be bounced into any particular direction by comments from other carriers or the media.

“The future of the business will be determined with the best interests of bmi, its shareholders and staff being paramount.”

There has been considerable speculation linking everyone from British Airways (BA) to Virgin Atlantic with bmi, as Bishop’s airline holds such a lucrative number of slots at the highly-constrained London gateway.

The plethora of US carriers recently arriving at Heathrow under the Open Skies deal reflects considerable pent-up demand, with Continental reportedly paying $100m recently for four slots.

Bishop also wasted no time in adding to the maelstrom of criticism that has so engulfed BAA during the last few weeks, insisting that efforts be concentrated around developing Heathrow in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

“Events now continue to cause huge reputational loss at Heathrow, he said, “and I urge BAA to re-prioritise and redouble its efforts on the Heathrow East project and ensure its completion in time for the opening of the Olympics in 2012, with all the functionality we require.”

Bmi has been affected by BA’s decision to delay its long-haul move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5, as it battles to bed down in its new home. Several airlines are therefore having to delay plans to move into Terminal 1 with bmi as part of its ‘Under one Roof’ policy.