UP to 80 airline staff in Aberdeen face being axed following a merger of bmi regional and Loganair.
It comes after the low-cost airlines combined in August to form a new regional airline group, Airline Investments Ltd (AIL).
AIL is owned by entrepreneurs Stephen and Peter Bond, who are also behind Glasgow Airport-based Loganair.
Today, AIL announced proposals that would see Loganair take over the current bmi regional hangar at Aberdeen Airport to house its aircraft fleet.
Meanwhile, bmi regional is earmarked to relocate its engineering facilities to Bristol, the origin of the majority of its routes, and consolidate all its headquarters under one location at East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire.
AIL has also proposed acquiring hangar space at Bristol Airport for its bmi regional jets.
Peter Simpson, Group CEO of AIL, said the proposed changes would "offer natural efficiencies" but acknowledged that an estimated 80 Aberdeen-based roles could be hit.
Mr Simpson added: “Loganair has expanded its aircraft presence at Aberdeen. It is therefore important that appropriate infrastructure is in place to ensure we can deliver operational reliability for these expanded operations. Today’s announcement will have no impact on Loganair staff, routes or frequency.
"All options will be explored through consultation to minimize impact on positions, but it is possible that an estimated 80 Aberdeen-based roles may be affected as a result of the proposals outlined today. The bmi pilot and cabin crew base at Aberdeen, together with the scheduled service’s to Bristol, Esbjerg, Norwich and Oslo are unaffected by this announcement.
“We recognise that this is an unsettling period for colleagues and options will certainly include locational redeployment. The business will offer support throughout the process while implementing this strategic reorganisation which will ensure that bmi regional is able to continue to develop its presence in key UK and European markets.”
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