Scottish air links unaffected despite carrier announcing proposals to suspend loss-making services
North-east BMI staff ‘safe’ despite plans for 600 job cuts
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BMI yesterday said administrative and maintenance operations at its Aberdeen-based regional business are safe, despite the airline unveiling plans which could see about 600 jobs cut.
It also announced it was suspending loss-making services, but none of the routes cut are from Scotland.
BMI currently employs about 4,470 people, including about 300 at the regional arm’s headquarters in Aberdeen.
A spokesman said the jobs cuts, which is part of a major restructuring at the troubled group, would come from all areas of the business.
Heathrow is likely to take the brunt of reductions as BMI’s mainline operation.
The group’s spokesman said only a small number of jobs were at risk at BMI Regional and these would be “confined to the pilot community”. He added: “No jobs are at risk at BMI Regional’s Aberdeen administrative headquarters and maintenance facility.”
Yesterday’s warning of further cuts at BMI comes just a few weeks after low-fares arm bmibaby said 158 staff could lose their jobs.
BMI said its latest move was taking place “against a background where the airline industry is facing the challenges of a downturn in demand and the worst recession in the UK since records began”. It added: “In addition to cost-saving, the programme also includes a wide range of revenue-enhancement initiatives. Once stabilised, the business can then be grown again.”
BMI, which was taken over by Germany’s Lufthansa group earlier this year, said it was reducing the number of planes in its international operation from 39 to 30.
Flights from Heathrow to Brussels, Tel Aviv and Kiev, as well as to Aleppo in Syria, will be suspended in January. The service from Heathrow to Amsterdam will also be suspended at the end of the winter timetable in March.
Seasonal services from Heathrow to Palma and Venice will not be reinstated in summer 2010.
Brian Boyd, national officer for civil aviation for the Unite union, said BMI’s restructuring was further indication of the difficulties in the sector. He added: “Unite understands the need to cut costs, but job losses seem to be the knee-jerk reaction.”
Despite BMI’s comments on Aberdeen, Mr Boyd said yesterday’s move cast doubt on the regional operation and jobs in the north-east. “Unite will be seeking assurances on the future of this important Scottish base,” he added.
BMI is trying to improve its finances after operating losses of £155.6million last year.
