Bmibaby stated it would axe all its operations from Cardiff and Manchester Airports at the end of the summer 2011 schedule. As a result, four bmibaby planes that are currently based at the two airports will be redeployed to Belfast, East Midlands and Birmingham. The low-cost airline, at presently, runs 40 weekly flights from Manchester and 30 weekly flights from Cardiff to different destinations.
The airline said that during the current economic climate it needs to focus more on its established routes.
Bmibaby began its operations from Cardiff in 2002 and has two aircrafts that are based at the airport. Through the airport, the airline serves a number of destinations, like Alicante, Geneva and Palma.
Last year, the Cardiff Airport handled nearly 1.4 million passengers out of which bmibaby accounted for just over 10%. In 2006/07, bmibaby accounted for around 34% of all total passengers.
Bmibaby is particularly popular among budget travellers who seek tickets on cheap flights. The airline is considered one of the leading low-cost carriers operating out of the UK and is indeed popular for doling out cheap tickets on flights.
A spokeswoman for bmibaby was quoted by news portals as stating, “In the current economic climate it is essential for bmibaby to focus on airports where the airline already has a strong market presence and where there are strong growth opportunities for the business.
“Therefore bmibaby has optimised its current flying programme and will reposition two Boeing 737 aircraft currently based at Cardiff, and two Boeing 737 aircraft currently based at Manchester, to Belfast, Birmingham and East Midlands Airports from winter 2011.
“We will therefore cease operations from Cardiff Airport and from Manchester Airport from the end of the summer 2011 flying schedule,” added the airline’s spokeswoman.
The Managing Director of Cardiff Airport, Patrick Duffy, was confident of the airport’s future after the bmibaby exit. Mr Duffy insisted that bmibaby’s percentage of total passengers had fallen drastically over the years. He added that he believes that there is a viable travel market in South Wales for another budget carrier, which can offer better returns on investment than that attained by bmibaby.
Bmibaby Expands Belfast City Routes
On the other hand, bmibaby has launched new flights to Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Faro and Ibiza for summer 2012, in addition to a new year-round service to Amsterdam from October 31, and flights to Geneva from December 17. Tickets for the new routes are on sale.
"Bmibaby will be the only low-cost airline to operate the new routes directly from Belfast City Airport, and this will make getting away for a sunshine, ski or city break more accessible from Northern Ireland," Julian Carr, Managing Director of bmibaby, was quoted in different online sources.
The airline said that during the current economic climate it needs to focus more on its established routes.
Bmibaby began its operations from Cardiff in 2002 and has two aircrafts that are based at the airport. Through the airport, the airline serves a number of destinations, like Alicante, Geneva and Palma.
Last year, the Cardiff Airport handled nearly 1.4 million passengers out of which bmibaby accounted for just over 10%. In 2006/07, bmibaby accounted for around 34% of all total passengers.
Bmibaby is particularly popular among budget travellers who seek tickets on cheap flights. The airline is considered one of the leading low-cost carriers operating out of the UK and is indeed popular for doling out cheap tickets on flights.
A spokeswoman for bmibaby was quoted by news portals as stating, “In the current economic climate it is essential for bmibaby to focus on airports where the airline already has a strong market presence and where there are strong growth opportunities for the business.
“Therefore bmibaby has optimised its current flying programme and will reposition two Boeing 737 aircraft currently based at Cardiff, and two Boeing 737 aircraft currently based at Manchester, to Belfast, Birmingham and East Midlands Airports from winter 2011.
“We will therefore cease operations from Cardiff Airport and from Manchester Airport from the end of the summer 2011 flying schedule,” added the airline’s spokeswoman.
The Managing Director of Cardiff Airport, Patrick Duffy, was confident of the airport’s future after the bmibaby exit. Mr Duffy insisted that bmibaby’s percentage of total passengers had fallen drastically over the years. He added that he believes that there is a viable travel market in South Wales for another budget carrier, which can offer better returns on investment than that attained by bmibaby.
Bmibaby Expands Belfast City Routes
On the other hand, bmibaby has launched new flights to Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Faro and Ibiza for summer 2012, in addition to a new year-round service to Amsterdam from October 31, and flights to Geneva from December 17. Tickets for the new routes are on sale.
"Bmibaby will be the only low-cost airline to operate the new routes directly from Belfast City Airport, and this will make getting away for a sunshine, ski or city break more accessible from Northern Ireland," Julian Carr, Managing Director of bmibaby, was quoted in different online sources.