04 May 2012

End Of BMI Baby Flights From Belfast City Airport

Alliance East Belfast MP Naomi Long has expressed her disappointment that BMI Baby will stop operating from Belfast City Airport from the 11th June.

Naomi Long MP said: "I am very disappointed at this decision but I have been aware of the vulnerable position of BMI Baby since its takeover by the International Airlines Group. However, at this early stage it is too early to speculate about the impact of this decision on any job losses."

However, BMI's route between Belfast and Heathrow will be maintained.

She continued: "There will be thousands of holiday makers that this decision will impact on and whilst refunds are being offered, it will be unlikely that they will be able to get the same flights with an alternative airline.

"BMI Baby is a significant part of the City Airport’s business and it will obviously have an impact on them, but they have been able to find new airlines to come in to replace lost business before. I believe that they could find somebody else to come in as BMI Baby had a number of routes that were well booked, so if the demand is there I am sure that a new airline will see an opportunity from this."

(CD)