ITV’s long-running succession drama has encountered fresh troubles after Crispin Davis bowed out of chairmanship negotiations, it was reported today.

Germany’s flagship airline Lufthansa was today set to take control of a UK carrier for the first time after agreeing to buy a majority stake in British Midland in a deal costing £223m (€263m).

Richard Branson’s airline Virgin Atlantic confirmed today it is holding talks with Lufthansa “regarding the future” of UK carrier bmi, which the German airline now controls.

Abu Dhabi airline Etihad has approached bmi over a possible merger that would value the UK carrier at up to £600m (€757m), a report said today.

Airline group BMI today hailed a major overhaul of its strategy for helping to revive profits at a time of soaring fuel costs.

BMI today confirmed passenger numbers had fallen at Britain’s second largest full-service airline.

Bmi (formerly British Midland Airways) group is back in the black after today reporting a £2.1m (€3m) pre-tax profit for 2004.

bmi today confirmed its plans to launch services from Heathrow to Mumbai and from Heathrow to Bangalore, following the recent agreement between the British and Indian governments to allow extra flights between the two countries.

A leading British airline has pressed the British government to make a last-ditch effort to broker a landmark “open skies” policy between the EU and US.

Airlines British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and bmi have joined forces to call on the British government to approve a third runway at Heathrow, it was announced today.

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic has held takeover talks with UK airline BMI British Midland, it emerged today.