bmibaby has announced a massive expansion plan from East Midlands Airport. The plan breaks down into three key initiatives:

- Three additional aircraft to be based at East Midland Airport
- Eight new European routes from the airport to: Alghero (Sardinia), Barcelona, Bastia (Corsica), Cork, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Malta, Newquay and Venice
- Increased frequencies on key winter and summer routes, with the addition of Palma to the winter flying programme, and a year round service to Geneva and Prague

As a result of the new routes and additional frequencies, the airlines’ capacity will increase by 40 per cent from East Midlands Airport. bmibaby’s expansion plan will mean that an additional 350,000 passengers will fly with the airline from East Midlands Airport in 2010, and an additional 2,872 flights will be operated by the airline next year from the airport. Flights are on sale today (09 September, 2009) and are available to book at www.bmibaby.com. The news comes just days after easyJet announced its departure from East Midlands Airport.

Cork
18 December 2009 to 30 October 2010 on Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
From £9.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Venice
12 February 2010 to 30 October 2010 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
From £24.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Barcelona
28 March 2010 to 30 October 2010 on Monday, Thursday , Friday and Sunday
From £24.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Malta
29 May 2010 to 30 October 2010 on Tuesday and Saturday
From £49.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Dubrovnik
30 May 2010 to 26 September 2010 on Thursday and Sunday
From £39.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Newquay
28 May 2010 to 12 September 2010 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
From £18.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Alghero (Sardinia)
29 May 2010 to 25 September 2010 on Saturdays
From £39.99 one way inc taxes and charges

Bastia (Corsica)
30 May 2010 to 26 September 2010 on Sundays
From £39.99 one way inc taxes and charges

In addition to the eight new routes, a key part of the expansion plan sees a significant increase in the number of flights to popular winter and summer destinations. Click here for more information: http://www.bmibaby.com/bmibaby/en/index.aspx?p=43&cf=news&ID=444

bmibaby now offer 24 European destinations from East Midlands Airport: Alghero (Sardinia), Alicante, Almeria, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bastia (Corsica), Belfast International, Cork, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Edinburgh, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow International, Grenoble, Jersey, Malaga, Malta, Menorca, Newquay, Nice, Palma, Paris (CDG), Prague and Venice.

Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said:

“Our rapid expansion programme at East Midlands Airport is fantastic news for the Midlands. It not only further demonstrates our commitment to the airport, but also to the people of the region, as we continue to offer low fares to a range of exciting new European destinations.

“As well as announcing eight new routes today to Sardinia, Barcelona, Corsica, Cork, Croatia, Malta, Newquay and Venice, we have also increased our capacity on key winter and summer routes to meet the extra consumer demand.

“We are confident that the services will prove extremely popular and we will make sure that everyone who wants to fly can, whether it’s for a sunshine holiday, a city break or for an important business trip.

“We continue to be a champion of the consumer market – currently we are offering no credit and debit card fees on all flights, and skis and snow boards fly free of charge on bookings to any of our ski destinations. Plus all passengers travelling with us are allocated a seat, so there is no need to dash for seat, and customers can enjoy the benefits of the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programme - bmi diamond club.

“bmibaby and bmi have operated from East Midlands since the airport opened in 1965 – and is an embedded part of the local community. We recognise the size of the East Midlands market and its future potential, and we will continue to offer the people of the East Midlands low cost flights with a high quality service. bmibaby is here to stay!”

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

“This is fantastic news for our passengers because bmibaby are not only adding new routes but also extra destinations for summer 2010, a significant increase in the number of flights to popular winter and summer destinations, and the addition of three based aircraft, meaning an even greater choice.

“The bmi group have served the East Midlands region for 45 years; they are a local, long term operator that is committed to the growth of the East Midlands region. bmibaby has continued to go from strength to strength with their East Midlands Airport operation by providing a comprehensive range of business and leisure destinations combined with competitive low fares.

“Offering 24 European destinations shows that bmibaby is committed to the airport and the region and we are looking forward to working with them to make these new routes a great success.”