BMI Airline

Airline Code: BD

About BMI:
The airline dates back to the formation of Derby Aviation Limited on the 16 February 1949. Derby Aviation was a subsidiary of Air Schools Limited which had been formed in 1938 to train pilots for the RAF. In 1949, the company formed both Derby Aviation based at Burnaston near Derby and Wolverhampton Aviation based at Pendeford, near Wolverhampton offering ad-hoc charter and freight flights with De Havilland Dragon Rapides, as well as aircraft maintenance and brokerage.

Flying instruction ceased in 1953 with the start of scheduled flights from Derby and Wolverhampton to Jersey. When the first Douglas DC-3 arrived in 1955, Wolverhampton Aviation had been phased out and the company's sole base became Burnaston Airport. International services commenced in 1956 to Ostend and holiday flights to mainland Europe began. The company was also contracted by Rolls-Royce to transport aero engines to customers throughout the world. In 1959, the company changed its name to Derby Airways. Domestic scheduled flights within the United Kingdom were launched toward the end of the decade.

BMI Major Hubs:
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow
Manchester Airport

Member lounge: Diamond Club Lounge

Codeshare Agreements:

Aircraft Type:
Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330-200
Boeing 757-200

Fleet Size: 54 (+4 orders)

No. of Destinations: 51 (incl. bmi regional)

Airline was founded in: 1949