End of Midland

[ianhind]

During the Viscount 800 era I travelled to Amsterdam from EMA on many occasions. Out first thing in the morning, then flew on to meetings in Europe and returned same evening. Those trips stopped before the Viscount was retired.

Seeing the Supershed thread reminded me of the EMA to Heathrow service using those. Very bumpy ride on a summer's day since we didn't climb above the building storm clouds. The Heathrow slots were too precious to keep that service going for long.

BMI Baby and one or two of the BMI Regional EMB145s seem to be based at EMA for now. UPS and DHL use EMA as a cargo hub. Nothing based. UPS is just one B767 flight per day. DHL is a whole mixtures of carriers in DHL colours: Irish A300, UK and German B757 and their own UK B767s.

I'll miss BMI Baby as one of the available operators of flights from my local airport. Hopefully someone will fill the gap and not leave Ryanair with the monopoly.

IAn

[Garry Russell]

I hope baby do get saved.

I don't know what their general standing is, but I don't seem to see the criticisms that get levels at pother low cost/budget airlines especially Ryanair.

EMA would be an ideal base if it can stay there.

Airlines come and go, but it's truly sad to see one of the traditional old time carriers go to the wall.

Having said that though, I never felt quite the same about them when they became bmiBritish Midland...sort of went a bit tacky IMHO.

My memories though are always with the two tone blue livery, never went much for the blue top Diamond scheme.

[Chris558]

Remember when they had DC-9s? First UK registration of the type, and the last I assume?

Infact did any other UK airlines operate DC-9s or was it all One-Eleven dominance?

[Garry Russell]

BIA, Airtours and Paramount had MD-80's which were technically DC9-80. The MD 88, 90 and 95 were not DC 9's

Flightline and PL Aviation had fleets of UK registered MD-80's but they were for leasing out

The first BMA DC 9 was US registered with them for a while before taking up G-BFIH and later becoming G-BMAA