bmi Regional nears completion of transition process from bmi

bmi Regional stated (20-Sep-2012) it is nearing the end of a five-month transition process to establish its independence from bmi. Executive chairman Ian Woodley said the airline will commence flying under a new 'BM' IATA designator on 28-Oct-2012 to four domestic and 11 European destinations. The transition process included the replacing of all IT systems and the creation of new commercial and financial structures. The airline plans to further expand its route network in 2013 while also looking into placing more capacity into ACMI, corporate and ad-hoc charter markets. Mr Woodley said, "Free from the ties of big carrier ownership and practices we are emerging as a flexible, streamlined, nimble and forward-thinking regional airline with the ability to act quickly to launch new route opportunities and explore new business opportunities in the sector." bmi Regional was established as Business Air and sold to Airlines of Britain Group in 1996, later becoming part of Lufthansa-owned bmi. Mr Woodley led a consortium to purchase bmi Regional from bmi on 01-Jun-2012. [more - original PR]