bmi regional and Loganair have joined forces to become a new regional airline group but will keep distinct businesses and brands.
The new holding company, Airline Investments Limited (AIL), will have 46 aircraft, employ 960 people and carry approximately 1.5 million passengers each year.
It has bought shares in bmi regional and appointed Peter Simpson as chief executive of the combined business.
The investors in AIL, successful entrepreneurs Stephen and Peter Bond have a long history in aviation, having previously owned Bond Aviation in the UK and original investors of Alliance Airlines in Australia.
bmi regional already has strong partnerships with Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines and Loganair has long term franchise agreements and code share agreements with Flybe and British Airways respectively.
The new group said that the consolidation of the two sister airlines under one holding company will provide natural efficiencies and economies of scale that will enhance both carriers.
Simpson joined AIL Group from British Airways where he was managing director of BA at Gatwick Airport since 2013.
He was group managing director of bmi following the acquisition of the business from Lufthansa and was previously managing director of BA CityFlyer, having launched the airline, and driven the successful expansion at London City Airport since its inception in 2007.
