bmi regional charts new path as independent operator

bmi regional, now privately owned by Sector Aviation Holdings, (SAH) and with a strong new management team headed by Executive Chairman Ian Woodley, will start flying under a new ‘BM’ IATA designator to an expanded route network on Sunday, 28th October, the airline confirmed in Dublin. Speaking at the European Regions annual General Assembly as the latest ERA airline member, Ian Woodley confirmed the carrier will add new regional routes between Aberdeen and Bristol and Manchester and Antwerp, both twice daily, from 29^th October. The new services bolster the bmi regional network to 11 European and four domestic routes.  With a 400-strong workforce and headquarters at East Midlands and Aberdeen airports, bmi regional is now close to concluding a five-month transition process to establish its independence from bmi. Projects include replacing all the IT systems and creating new commercial and financial structures better geared to its independent status. Leading this challenging transitional process and also present at ERA is Cathal O’Connell, formerly with Aer Lingus, Aer Arann and Eastern Airways, as Chief Commercial Officer.