Bmi joins the BA fold

It will mean higher prices, I don't see there's any way that could be avoided.

If you see the bmi purchase from IAG's point of view, although it gives them more slots for new routes, as they have been quick to publicise, it also strengthens their already strong position at LHR.

Virgin has been very clear about this (and yes, of course I accept they have their own reasons for this), but it's hard to disagree when they say it "will force up prices and reduce competition."

The story is here for those wanting the detail

Virgin Atlantic pleads for UK authorities to probe BA-Bmi deal

http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/1616813-virgin-atlantic-pleads-uk-authorities...

and to see the history of the story, the bmi tag will help

http://www.abtn.co.uk/tags/bmi

The European Commission has given permission for BA owner IAGInternational Airlines Group - the parent company of British Airways and Spain's Iberia which was created by the merger of the two carriers in 2010 to take over BMI despite the predictable howls of protest from arch-rival Virgin Atlantic. See the story below:

http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/3017181-iag-gets-green-light-buy-bmi

IAG is having to give up 25% of Bmi's 56 slots at Heathrow to get this deal past the regulators - but is this enough to make sure that flights from Scotland and Northern Ireland to Heathrow remain competitive and don't see significant price rises after the takeover has been completed?

What do you think - has the EC driven a hard enough bargain on this issue?

Forget about flying from Belfast and Scotland to Heathrow. Transit somewhere else instead. There are no UK domestic flights into either LHR T3 or LHR T4; I expect none will go to the new T2 when it opens. As a business traveller from the regions, I will continue to rely on EK, KL, AF and the locos, and avoid Heathrow whenever possible. It is a nightmare to get to by ground transport and to change terminals at; I only use it if going to places like Windsor, Slough or Kingston-upon-Thames.

It looks like Bmibaby is doomed following IAGInternational Airlines Group - the parent company of British Airways and Spain's Iberia which was created by the merger of the two carriers in 2010's announcement that the no-frills airline's flights will stop in September - follow the link below for the full story:

http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/0317319-all-bmibaby-flights-end-september

Do you currently use Bmibaby's services?

Will you miss the airline when - and if - it finally disappears?

Will the likes of Flybe and Monarch fill the gap created at airports such as East Midlands and Birmingham?

What about the impact on Belfast where Bmibaby flights will stop from June 10?

I think that IAG could have used some of the money saved by taking on BMIBABAY to allow the managment and staff take over the airline.