note

Bmi can trace its history to Derby Aviation which was established in February 1949 in Derby UK as airline subsidiary of Air Schools Ltd - a RAF pilot training outfit. Derby Aviation commenced operations using De Havilland DH.89s. Fleet was upgraded in 1955 with surplus Douglas DC-3s. In 1959 Derby Aviation changed its name to Derby Airways which was, in October 1964, changed again to British Midland Airways after Derby Airways acquired Mercury Airlines operating out of Manchester. These changes reflected growing scope of operation. BMA received its first turbojet aircraft in February 1965 when first Handley-Page Herald was delivered. In February 1970 BMA received its first pure jet - a BAC 111. Between 1974 and 1984 BMA have also undertaken significant charter and leasing operations and used Boeing 707s for that purpose. In 1982 first Douglas DC-9 joined the fleet. The type became backbone of BMA's fleet throughout the 1980s. BMA traditionally operated scheduled service in UK, but since 1980s also started to serve the continent. First Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, but soon their schedule included further cities on the continent. In 2000 BMA joined world's premier airline alliance - Star Alliance. In 2001 new name bmi British Midland was adopted along with new corporate identity. In 2002 low cost subsidiary was established called bmiBaby. Airline also ordered long-range Airbus A330s and launched intercontinental service to Washington DC, Chicago and Las Vegas from its hub at Manchester. This lasted until 2005 when airline decided to move all long-haul operations to London Heathrow. Airline became second largest in UK and handled over 10 million passengers in 2007 after it took over British Mediterranean Airways. However, company continued to loose money and became target for acquisition. In July 2009 Lufthansa Group acquired the company. In March 2012 British Airways announced that it will take over bmi. The takeover was completed by October 2012

founded - demised (age)

1938 - October 27 2012  (74)

headquarters

Donington Hall, Castle Donington

web

www.flybmi.com

base airports

EGBB International Birmingham	hub
EGCC Ringway International Manchester	hub
EGLL Heathrow London	home base
EGNX Castle Donnington - East Midlands Nottingham - Derby	hub, MX

related operators

Lufthansa	majority stake 2009
bmi Baby	low cost subsidiary
Manx Airlines	stake
Loganair	stake
British Mediterranean Airways	acquired 2007
SAS Scandinavian Airlines System	minority stake 1989
bmi regional	sister co.
British Airways	merged into 2012