33 jobs at risk as bmi cuts number of Dublin-Heathrow flights

Some 33 bmi cabin crew are at risk of redundancy after the airline today announced it was cutting the number of daily flights from Dublin to Heathrow to four for its summer schedule, ending the necessity to base an aircraft at Dublin.

"Currently, bmi flight operations between Dublin and London Heathrow requires one aircraft to be based at Dublin and one at Heathrow, with the additional cost of retaining aircraft and crew at both bases," the airline said in a statement.

"Commencing with the summer 2010 flying programme, bmi will base the required aircraft at London Heathrow.

"The removal of the aircraft based at Dublin will regrettably also mean the closure of the cabin crew base at Dublin, resulting in 33 cabin crew positions being at risk of redundancy.

"bmi has today commenced discussions with staff and union representatives with a view to minimising job losses wherever possible," the statement said.

The airline said the move was part of further restructuring efforts as it focused on returning the company to profitability.