bmibaby is celebrating a ‘high five’ of five years of low cost flying.  The airline has lots to celebrate including: meteoric growth since launch; a staggering 19 million passengers will be carried in five years; the launch of a radical new business passenger initiative; more than 800 jobs created since the operation began and the airline’s massive impact on local tourism and on economic growth in the regions.  Further exciting announcements will be made shortly.

To thank passengers for their support over the past five years bmibaby’s marketing director, David Hodge and the bmibaby team shared champagne and birthday cake with passengers checking in for the Malaga, Alicante, Palma and Prague flights yesterday at East Midlands Airport.

David Hodge, marketing director, bmibaby, said:

 

“Today marks a great achievement for everyone connected with bmibaby. Since operations began in 2002, an incredible 19 million passengers will have taken advantage of bmibaby’s low fares by the end of 2007.  We now have 21 aircraft and fly from four UK bases: East Midlands, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff offering a choice of 24 popular destinations with over 900 flights a week.   

“The airline’s growth has been a major boost for business and tourism and has also had a massive impact on the local economies by creating over 800 jobs directly with the airline since launch, plus many more in support services.

“We remain committed to developing and expanding our services and recently introduced a radical new business passenger initiative ‘only choose what you need’ to business air travel.  We have more exciting plans to be announced shortly. “

 

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

 

“We would like to wish the whole team at bmibaby a very happy fifth birthday. We’re immensely proud of the fact that bmibaby was born at East Midlands Airport and they still remain very important and one of the largest carriers here. Congratulations”.

 

bmibaby started operations in March 2002 from East Midlands Airport with a service to Malaga. The airline now operates to 24 European destinations with over 900 weekly flights to and from the regions. In five years the airline has experienced phenomenal growth and has carried over 19 million passengers by the ends of the year.  bmibaby now has 21 Boeing 737 aircraft, operating from four UK bases: East Midlands, Birmingham International, Cardiff and Manchester.  Fares start from just £18.99 one way, including taxes and charges.

The airline’s growth is great news for passengers but also fantastic for the local economy.  Eight hundred jobs have been created directly with the airline and plenty more in support services as a result of its rapid expansion.  The airline has boosted tourism to the regions, which have enjoyed an upsurge in year round visitors from Europe. The airline remains committed to developing and expanding services at the four bases and to further growth.
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