From the article:
Bmi launched a scathing attack on global distribution systems […] The airline has to pay 15-20 per cent of its cheapest return fares in charges to GDSs […] making the company uncompetitive compared with short-haul carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair.
[…] yields are even more horrific.
“We have a perception problem that we are expensive, when we are often as cheap as low cost market and we have to be. […] But Parkes said bmi would not pull out of the GDSs.
“We’re now the fourth of fifth place airline after being in 2nd or 3rd place. We have a problem with the brand. People know what they’re getting with Virgin and Ryanair, but they don’t know what they’re getting with us.”
http://www.travelmole.com/news_detail.php?news_id=100448&PHPSESSID=232174c7c6cbf0af5584fdcc5f3630cf
Seems quite tough for BMI right now.
According to a posting at airliners.net BMI’s commercial director Adrian Parkes said they where not making money anywhere. That seems a bit daft, and I have not been able to find a verifiable source. The link supplied in the post does not have that quote in it (anymore?).
I can understand fully what they said about brand recognition. Up till now I have always found them to be the cheapest option between AMS and the greater London area. But no one I know on either side of the channel seems to realise it, except for the die-hard plane spotters.
On a side-note, their website seems to be down as well. At least I have not been able to get onto it for a few days. That’s annoying me as I want to book a flight to London!
By: bmi-star - 13th May 2004 at 08:42
Trans-Atlantic is superior. Best i’ve ever experienced, i’m sure they can make money out of those.
P.S no site probs here, just booked MAN-LHR one-way for £29
By: greekdude1 - 13th May 2004 at 01:31
I just got onto their website just fine right now. I flew them and I like them. Much better than your typical lo-co, in my opinion, plus they have Star Alliance Gold lounges. 😀
By: Mark L - 12th May 2004 at 21:29
£48.30 is the cheapest day return for BMI LHR-DUB, and that is better than the standard Ryanair, BA and Aer Lingus day return fare.
As for the website it was recently changed a bit, is working fine over here…
By: SHAMROCK321 - 12th May 2004 at 21:16
Sorry thats Dublin-London
By: SHAMROCK321 - 12th May 2004 at 21:15
On the Dublin- which is one of bmis bussiets they are totally uncompetitive.There flight are more expensive than Ryanair and Aer Lingus I dont know about BA.To me bmi are expensive although a good airline.I am very fond of the airline and I wouldt like to see them going down but changes are required.Although many people think Aer Lingus cost cutting had gone a bit far i think it may be time for bmi to take a leaf out of that book.
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May 12, 2004 at 9:09 pm