Flybe considers bmi approach

Airline Flybe is in talks to buy bmi regional and bmibaby, according to The Mail on Sunday.

Europe's largest independent regional airline carrier is believed to be in due diligence for the two businesses, which were taken over by Lufthansa last month.

The German carrier has indicated that the two airlines are not core to its new strategy and that it is more interested in bmi's long-haul and valuable London Heathrow Airport routes.

Lufthansa told The Mail on Sunday: "Our acquisition of bmi has given us a large presence at Heathrow to compete with British Airways and increase our worldwide routes."

Aberdeen-based bmi regional operates 17 flights to destinations mainly in the UK, while the budget airline bmibaby serves a number of European destinations.

Flybe, which is based at Exeter International Airport, already operates 150 routes between 50 European airports.

© Adfero Ltd