BMI - it's over. Thanks for the memories Pune/Donington/Keeley/Joanna!

[SQtraveller]

Worst case could be:



I remember VS's "Dirty Tricks" lawsuit against BA (which Branson was victorious). That thing went on a LONG time.

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[HUGE AL]

Worst case could be:

But such a merger is likely to face scrutiny by competition regulators and Virgin has already promised to fight it through the courts. This could delay the transfer of bmi’s assets for up to a year, forcing Lufthansa to swallow hundreds of millions of euros in additional losses.

I remember VS's "Dirty Tricks" lawsuit against BA (which Branson was victorious). That thing went on a LONG time.

[SQflyergirl]

So, in theory, VS could acquire and keep BD in *A... And keeping the DC gravy train running at least for a bit longer...?

In theory

[milehighj]

So, in theory, VS could acquire and keep BD in *A... And keeping the DC gravy train running at least for a bit longer...?

[HUGE AL]

December 12th Times Article -- VS More Seriously in the Mix

Article cannot be pulled online:

The battle for control of bmi British Midland has intensified with Virgin Atlantic starting due diligence to buy the ailing airline.

The Times understands that Virgin has made an indicative offer and signed a “terms of agreement” contract with Lufthansa, bmi’s owner, so that it can analyse the airline’s books.

International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, said last month that it had reached an agreement in principle to buy loss-making bmi from Lufthansa but Virgin has been determined to gatecrash that deal.

Banking sources said that the indicative offer from Virgin was lower than the IAG offer but Sir Richard Branson’s airline is banking on being able to complete a deal quickly without the regulatory scrutiny that would accompany a BA-bmi merger.

The Virgin offer is thought to be in the region of £50 million, while IAG’s is about double that figure, excluding pension and restructuring costs.

Lufthansa is expected to make a final decision on a buyer for its British subsidiary early in the new year, ending an unhappy venture into the UK aviation market.

The German flag carrier was forced to take control of bmi two years ago when the British airline’s former chairman, Sir Michael Bishop, exercised an option to sell his shares for about £220 million.

Since then, bmi has struggled to cope with the economic downturn and lost €154 million in the first nine months of this year — equivalent to €34 for every passenger carried.

Bmi’s losses for the full year are likely to far exceed last year’s €145 million despite an aggressive restructuring that has resulted in the carrier shrinking by about one third.

Undeterred by bmi’s losses, IAG and Virgin are keen to acquire the airline and gain control of its Heathrow landing slots, which analysts have valued at about €226 million.

A deal for bmi would significantly strengthen BA’s position at the world’s busiest international airport. The merger would give IAG an additional 8 per cent of Heathrow slots, taking its total over 50 per cent.

But such a merger is likely to face scrutiny by competition regulators and Virgin has already promised to fight it through the courts. This could delay the transfer of bmi’s assets for up to a year, forcing Lufthansa to swallow hundreds of millions of euros in additional losses.

Virgin’s bankers are understood to be arguing that Lufthansa would be better off doing a quick but lower-priced deal with Sir Richard’s airline.

A deal with bmi offers Virgin the opportunity to build a European feeder network for its long-haul operations based at Heathrow. Virgin would be able to co-ordinate its schedules with bmi to enable passengers from regional cities to transfer from short-haul to long-haul flights at Heathrow. Virgin said: “We have always been interested in bmi and are in constant talks regarding its future.”

Etihad, the Abu Dhabi-based airline, is understood to have expressed an interest in bmi this year but is no longer pursuing a deal. The Gulf carrier has been linked to other potential purchases, including Aer Lingus and Air Berlin.

Lufthansa has attempted to offload bmi on a number of occasions in the past two or three years. Bmi has struggled as passengers have traded down to lower-cost alternatives such as easyJet and Ryanair but it does not have the long-haul operations to insulate it against the brunt of Europe’s economic problems.

Lufthansa declined to comment on its plans for bmi.

[HUGE AL]

You know, this might turn out into a protracted battle, taking oh say.... 12 years to pan out

So BD*G lifetime is possible then

[9V-JKL]

You know, this might turn out into a protracted battle, taking oh say.... 12 years to pan out

So BD*G lifetime is possible then

[SQflyergirl]

I find this quote from the BBC article hilarious!

You know, this might turn out into a protracted battle, taking oh say.... 12 years to pan out

[9V-JKL]

I find this quote from the BBC article hilarious!

Both Lufthansa and IAG shares fell on Monday.

[demue]

Interesting one. To be seen how it plays out.

[SQtraveller]

Funny,

The day after I make the comment ...... news breaks

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7BB01Z20111212

Virgin Atlantic appears to ahve made an offer with terms of agreement signed so they can due diligence BMI books.
Lower than BA's offer, but thinks can complete quicker

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[SMK77]

When you say A345 - do you also include SIN-NYC?

Are they using different aircrafts SIN-LAX and SIN-EWR? A345 is A345 and yes, you can use BMI miles on both routes.

[SQtraveller]

BMI is running a promo for the next five days: get 50% bonus miles when purchasing miles now!

All issued tickets will be honored and I like the great redemptions on SQ! A380 in Business or 345 long-haul: all available...

Book as long it is good :-)

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[SQtraveller]

VS fightback begins?

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[SMK77]

How many seats on a single flight can you book on A345 through BD, maximum?

(I know a friend has booked 2 on the LAX flight, but can 4 be successfully done?)

SQ is not publishing any logic how many seats are released and when.

SQ is selling 100 seats on that flight and could easily release more than 4 seats. I don't think that they will ever give more than 2 seats at any point in time to *A partners.

Could you get 4 seats through BMI? The only chance is to get them over time which could mean that the last 2 seats are only released very shortly before departure. Personally, I don't think that SQ will release more then two seats in total and will offer additional seats only as Standard Awards to their own members.