Air Wales to operate bmibaby routes

Bmibaby is to provide marketing and sales support for regional carrier Air Wales on two routes from Cardiff. The agreement covers services from Cardiff to Prestwick and Cork. Air Wales’ 48-seat ATR turboprop aircraft will be used on both routes, enabling increased frequency. Bmibaby currently uses Boeing 737s on the routes but will withdraw these from 28 March when Air Wales starts operating the services with the smaller aircraft. As a result Bmibaby will add a third daily Boeing 737 frequency between Cardiff and Edinburgh. The deal will see Bmibaby distribute Air Wales seats on the routes via its website and call centre. Both carriers stressed that low Internet fares starting at £24.94 one-way would continue to be offered on the routes. Air Wales runs a network of services from Cardiff and Swansea with a fleet of four ATRs and is about to add a fifth aircraft to its fleet. Bmibaby managing director Tony Davis said: “Bmibaby is providing marketing and sales support for these routes and Air Wales is providing the operational support in terms of staffing and aircraft.” Report by Phil Davies