BRITISH AIRLINE BMI yesterday said it would close its crew base in Dublin at the end of March and reduce the number of daily flights it operates to Heathrow airport in London.
This decision means that 33 cabin crew based in Dublin are facing redundancy.
From March 28th, BMI will fly four times a day from Dublin to Heathrow, as opposed to the six a day it currently operates.
This will result in the removal by BMI of an Airbus A320 aircraft based in Dublin, with the airline using a plane located at Heathrow to service the route.
“The move will significantly reduce the operational costs of this service, whilst enhancing its competitiveness in a very challenging market,” BMI said yesterday.
The British airline, which is controlled by Germany flag carrier Lufthansa, said the decision was part of a “restructuring to its mainline operations as it continues to focus on returning the company to profitability against the persistent challenges and downturn facing the global aviation industry and a sustained UK recession”.
But industry sources speculated the move was driven by Lufthansa’s desire to use the valuable Heathrow slots for other routes.
BMI’s decision means its 6.45am Dublin-Heathrow flight will be axed, discommoding business travellers seeking an early connection with London. The first BMI flight from Dublin will now depart at 8.45am each day.
BMI said it would seek to minimise redundancies among its Dublin cabin crew. It is understood some will be offered redeployment to Heathrow.
BMI began flights between Dublin and Heathrow in 1989 and is the third-biggest operator at Dublin airport, behind Ryanair and Aer Lingus. It competes head-to-head with Aer Lingus on the Heathrow route.
Aer Lingus looks set to pick up some of the slack. It is understood the airline will add one flight a day to its Dublin-Heathrow schedule for the summer season, which begins at the end of March.
Aer Lingus had taken one Heathrow slot out of Dublin last year to bolster its service from Shannon.
BMI’s decision to withdraw is another blow to the Dublin Airport Authority, which recorded a double-digit decline in passenger numbers in 2009. Aer Lingus and Ryanair have both reduced their services out of Dublin, while other airlines have pulled out.
