bmibaby celebrates 6 years of low cost flying from East Midlands

bmibaby is today celebrating six years of low cost flying from East Midlands (EMA). The airline commenced services on the 20th March 2002 and since launch bmibaby has carried over 7.5 million passengers to and from the airport.

As a double celebration, bmibaby will welcome over 30,000 people to and from the Midlands this weekend, one of the busiest ever Easter bank holiday periods. To thank passengers for their support over the past six years the bmibaby team will share birthday cake with passengers checking in for their flights today.

bmibaby was born at East Midlands Airport and started operations with one aircraft flying to Malaga. Six years on the airline has five Boeing B737 aircraft based at the airport, offers a choice of 15 European destinations to seven countries and over 248 weekly flights to and from the airport during the peak season. This year bmibaby has further expanded by adding three brand new routes:

• East Midlands (EMA) > Warsaw Okecie (WAW),
• East Midlands (EMA) > Gdansk (GDN),
• East Midlands (EMA) > Nice (NCE).

Over the last six years bmibaby has had a massive impact on the local economy due to its commitment to investment and by creating over 300 jobs directly with the airline in the Midlands, plus many more in support services. The airline has also enabled businesses in the region to thrive as they have taken full advantage of low cost flights to key European markets.

Crawford Rix, Managing Director, bmibaby, said: "East Midlands is where it all began for bmibaby and we are very proud of what we have achieved over the last six years. We have firmly established ourselves as the Midlands largest low cost airline and are continuing to grow at a phenomenal rate, having just added a number of exciting new routes from East Midlands Airport to Warsaw, Gdansk and Nice. It is staggering that we have carried over 7.5 million people to and from the airport since launch in 2002.
We are pleased to celebrate our 6th birthday by offering £6 fares for all UK flights including taxes and charges!
Our aggressive growth strategy will continue as we welcome more aircraft to the region, new destinations and consistently lower fares."

Caroline Plant, Director of Marketing and Communications, East Midlands Airport, said: "Since bmibaby launched at East Midlands Airport in 2002 they have enjoyed incredible success. The demand for air travel in the Midlands region has since grown significantly, and bmibaby’s plans are indicative of this success. bmibaby's growth continues in 2008 with the introduction of new routes to Nice, Gdansk and Warsaw, offering a broader choice for the region's travellers. We are confident the past six years of success will continue."

bmibaby will fly from East Midlands Airport to 14 destinations for summer 2008: Alicante, Amsterdam, Belfast (Intl), Edinburgh, Faro, Gdansk, Glasgow (Intl), Jersey, Malaga, Nice, Palma, Paris (CDG), Prague and Warsaw.

Fares start from just GBP 18.99 one way including taxes and charges.