bmi has announced the restructuring of its mainline and regional operations.

The restructuring plan includes the suspension of loss making routes and adjusting capacity to optimise efficiency and profitability.

The airline will reduce the number of aircraft in its mainline operation by nine from the current 39. This reduction will include two of five Embraer aircraft operating on mainline routes that will be returned to bmi regional. Leases will not be extended on aircraft when they expire in the first half of 2010, including two of the three long haul A330 aircraft. bmi will therefore continue to serve mid haul markets with two long-range aircraft and its fleet of A321s.

The return of two Embraer aircraft from the mainline operation at Heathrow and one additional spare aircraft will result in these three units being surplus to requirements.

A reduction in the number of aircraft deployed in bmi mainline and bmi regional operations will result in job reductions coming from all areas of the business, operational and corporate functions. The number of full-time equivalent jobs at risk of redundancy is expected to be approximately 600. However further job cuts cannot be ruled out as corporate overheads will also be cut to reflect the reduced flying programme. Management has commenced consultations with unions and staff representatives with a view to minimising the number of compulsory job losses wherever possible.

Flights from Heathrow to Brussels, Tel Aviv, Kiev and Aleppo will be suspended in January 2010 and the service from Heathrow to Amsterdam will be suspended at the end of the current winter timetable period in March 2010. bmi will, however, continue to offer services from London to Brussels through a codeshare arrangement with Brussels Airline. The seasonal services from Heathrow to Palma and Venice will not be reinstated in summer 2010.

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