Airline could close call centre

Telephone bookings could be transferred to South Yorkshire

An airline is considering closing a call centre in the East Midlands - saying telephone sales have fallen.

BMI said calls to its telephone reservations centre at Nottingham East Midlands Airport in Castle Donington fell by 40% over the past three years.

The airline said 80% of direct sales are now online bookings.

BMI may use a South Yorkshire firm to handle phone calls and said all 154 call centre staff concerned would get transfers or alternative jobs in BMI.

Possible redeployment

The company being considered is industry specialist Ventura.

BMI said passenger numbers have risen, but many customers prefer to book online via the website flybmi.com.

Commercial director Adrian Parkes said: "(Staff affected) will be offered transfers to Ventura's contact centre in Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire... or redeployment within other areas of BMI where suitable vacancies exist."

BMI's sister company Bmibaby already has its telephone sales handled by a specialist supplier, TeleTech, based in Glasgow, which took over the role early in 2003.