BMI Baby no more!!

Keith’s picture reminds me of the west park at LGW when Air Europe went under. It’s always sad to see an airline go, especially for it’s own people and others reliant on it for employment.

Whilst it seemed to be a very well run outfit it has to be said that the Baby business model wasn’t great, effectively being a loco with legacy overheads inherited from when it was formed out of British Midland’s regional bases.

Whilst it’s true that IAG never wanted to buy Baby and it didn’t fit with their business model in the UK I think they and BA have made a good effort to find a new owner. One of my neighbours is a project manager with BA and even he admits to being surprised at the efforts they went to. Apparently they even offered to pay the costs of integration to one UK airline that would have seemed a good fit (he wouldn’t say but I’m guessing Jet2) if they took it on. But the fact remains that their are plenty of used 737s on the market and Baby flew to/from airports that aren’t slot restrained, so if that’s the market you want want to be in you wouldn’t do it by buying an airline with debts and overheads from a legacy history, especially as TUPE laws mean a lot of those costs would have to remain. It’s unsurprising really that neither LH or BA could find a buyer, but very sad nonetheless.

I for one send everyone that was involved with Baby all the very best during a difficult time and good luck for the future.

That’s a sad photo, Keith. I got the same ‘funeral’ feeling when watching the last few flights descending over Milton Keynes last night.
I always went to EMA mainly to see the Baby planes as they were always guranteed to be there (the antonovs etc were just a nice bonus) EMA won’t seem the same for me anymore without baby flying in and out all day.

Yup last three departed today from East Mids, one did a low flypast, another a wing waggle and the final one just departed.. Gone to Norwich and Lasham, for a check and then return to lessors.

I was at my ‘homedrome’ EMA tonight and it did seem a little odd not hearing the ‘Baby’callsign on the radio, or seeing any aircraft on the ramp…
Mind you, the Skylease MD-11F and the VDA IL-76 did improve the view somewhat!

-Dazza

Yes a very sad day at Norwich today ! I left with that feeling you have when you have been to a funeral !!

Eight airframes “resting” at Norwich tonight …. Keith 🙁

All departed for Lasham and Norwich today.

-Dazza

Yeah I actually found out from pprune after posting.

MSR777, I agree, I liked bmibaby too. Won’t be the same going to EMA and not see baby there.

Sad times indeed. Hopefully, the staff will be able to find new jobs eventually. I also liked the livery, the ‘baby’ brand image was a refreshing change. Bye bye baby….its sad to see you go:(

Any idea how long the B737’s will remain at EMA before heading off?

All departed for Lasham and Norwich today.

-Dazza

I watched the last BHX arrival fly over MK last night, and also watched the second to last EMA arrival descend over Milton Keynes too. I didn’t get to watch the last one, G-OBMP ‘Robin Hood Baby’ from Malaga to EMA as it doesn’t show up on Flight Radar 24, so I didn’t know when it was going over.
I’ll miss bmibaby, always liked their livery and the names on the planes.

Any idea how long the B737’s will remain at EMA before heading off?

All are leased i believe so will be handed back

Oh well !! that will be another load of used aircraft going through the auctions & on to the used aircraft dealers lots !!