BMI Regional set to protect jobs as two new routes are launched

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on 18/09/2012 18:09

THE NEW Aberdeen-based owners of BMI Regional are to launch two new routes from next month in addition to retaining the airline’s existing network.

• BMI Regional to launch two new routes, Aberdeen-Bristol and Manchester-Antwerp

• Move set to protect 190 jobs and create 40 additional positions

The announcement effectively protects the jobs of the carrier’s 190 staff in Scotland, including 95 at its operations centre in Aberdeen, while 40 new posts are being created at East Midlands airport.

From 29 October, BMI Regional will add Aberdeen-Bristol and Manchester-Antwerp to its network, which also includes UK and European routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Sector Aviation, which bought the airline from Lufthansa in May, will continue to use its name, with a slightly altered logo.

However, this may be slimmed down to BMI next year after the main part of BMI, which was sold separately, is absorbed into British Airways.

Chairman Ian Woodley said: “We believe the introduction of these new routes alongside maintaining our existing services demonstrates a clear statement of our intent to develop the business.”