Castle Donington based Bmibaby has today announced that due to current market expectations and through optimising its operational efficiencies it will retain two aircraft between its East Midlands and Birmingham Airport bases.

This will further reinforce its position as a leading low cost airline in the Midlands and cements its expansion programme from East Midlands Airport in 2010. This plan will include flying to the previously announced eight new routes and increasing capacity to the most popular destinations in 2010 from East Midlands Airport.

bmibaby will operate 326 flights a week from and to East Midlands Airport and carry 77,000 passengers during the peak summer months. The airline will fly to 23 European destinations from East Midlands Airport: Alghero (Sardinia), Alicante, Almeria, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bastia (Corsica), Belfast International, Cork, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Edinburgh, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow International, Jersey, Malaga, Malta, Mahon (Menorca), Newquay, Nice, Palma, Paris (CDG), Prague and Venice.

Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said:

“It is great news that due to current market strengths, and through optimising our efficiency, we are able to retain two additional aircraft. This means we can continue with our expansion plans from East Midlands Airport, with the addition of eight new routes and increased capacity on the most popular services in 2010.

“Sales for summer 2010 continue to be strong, a clear indication that the market is improving and that consumers are not willing to give up their holiday or short breaks.

“We not only offer great low fares, but also benefits such as allocated seating for everyone, and customers can join bmi diamond club, the UK’s most generous frequent flier programme. We are also the UK’s most punctual low cost airline.

“The East Midlands is home to bmibaby and we have gone from strength to strength at the airport. We will continue to provide our customers with competitive low fares, as well as services to a wide range of attractive European destinations for both business and leisure passengers.”

Penny Coates, managing director, East Midlands Airport, said:

“It is great to see that bmibaby remain committed to the region and continue with their expansion plans for 2010.

“bmibaby have continued to go from strength to strength with their East Midlands Airport operation by providing passengers with a comprehensive range of business and leisure destinations combined with competitive low fares.

“bmibaby recently increased capacity on routes from East Midlands Airport to meet extra market demand and added eight new European routes including brand new scheduled services to Corsica, Croatia and Sardinia for next Summer.”

(Via Original Source)