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Bmibaby ceased operations on Sunday 9th September 2012 after 10 years of operations having launched on 24th January 2002 headquartered in East Midlands, as the low-cost subsidary of BMI Airlines Group operating 14 Boeing 737-300/500s to 42 destinations, shortly after the BA low-cost subsidiary Go BA’s no-frills offshoot announced a new base at East Midlands airport, BMI’s home.
Bmibaby was set up by BMI Airlines as a result of the structural changes which took place in the aviation industry post 9/11 , as customers became increasingly price sensitive , leading to the growth of Low-cost carriers in the European market as Buzz, Flybe, Go, Germanwings entered the competitive LCC market.
In the last 10 years the airline has been operating in the Irish market due to the strong O&D (Origin & Destination) traffic and short-break market between Ireland and the UK, however the route network over the years due to changing business requirements and market conditions.
In March 2010 the airline operated a series of charter flights from Cardiff to Dublin in connection with the RBS 6 Nations match.
The airline withdrew from the Irish market having terminated the Birmingham-Ireland West Knock route on 10th June (WW1091/2), and closed it’s Belfast City Base 11th June. However Bmibaby returned to Ireland West Knock Airport on 31st July operating a once-off charter to Pau/Pyrenees.
Over the last 10 years the airline operated the following routes in the Irish market:
Birmingham-Cork
Birmingham-Ireland West Knock Airport
Cardiff-Cork
Durham/Tees Valley-Cork
Durham/Tees Valley-Ireland West Knock Airport
East Midlands-Cork
East Midlands-Dublin
East Midlands-Ireland West Knock
Glasgow-Ireland West Knock
London Gatwick-Cork
Manchester-Cork
Manchester-Ireland West Knock Airport
The carrier issued the following statement on its website at bmibaby.com:
“Been nice knowing you, baby!
“On September 9, 2012 Bmibaby flew its last ever flight.
“Thanks to everyone who has flown with us over the years.
“It’s been so much fun, baby!”
The Bmibaby fleet is to be flown to Lasham and Norwich for storage Monday 10th September.
