Bmi Regional is to axe five routes following a restructuring programme, including some flights from Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
The independent carrier, which was sold by IAG to Sector Aviation last year, said it would cancel its Manchester-Edinburgh and Manchester-Antwerp routes on November 29, while Birmingham-Billund and Edinburgh-Brussels will close on December 30 and 31 respectively, and Edinburgh-Copenhagen will finish on January 5.
The news comes two weeks after the airline announced it will be launching a double-daily service between Newcastle and Brussels next year (see news, October 22).
Bmi Regional CEO Cathal O’Connell said: "The changes are an inevitable consequence of Bmi Regional's transition from a subsidiary of a group to a standalone business.
"Over the last year, we have rebuilt our infrastructure and systems as an independent airline, and reshaped our operating network.
"We have built Bristol into a major new base, targeted the growing oil and gas business through our increased Aberdeen network and launched new domestic services in Norway."
The moves mean that Bmi will close its crew bases at Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester, and the airline has gone into consultation with affected staff.
It will also allow aircraft to be used on the new Newcastle-Brussels service and for more charter flights.
Bmi said that customers with bookings on the cancelled routes will be offered alternative flights or a refund.
Rob Gill
