Castle Donington-based airline bmi today announced a restructuring involving a reduction in planes and routes and the possible loss of at least 600 jobs, with 20 going at Cast Donington.

The carrier, formerly British Midland Airways, said job reductions would come from all areas of its business.

The changes come after the airline was taken over by German carrier Lufthansa earlier this year.

Most of the jobs look likely to go from the airline's Heathrow operations, where its international routes are based.

The airline said that a number of management and support jobs were likely to go from its head offices at Donington all as a result of the cutting of some routes and aircraft.

A spokesman told the Post: "The impact locally will be minimal, with probably 20 positions at Donington likely to be affected."

The airline is already in talks with unions about its plans to cut jobs and reduce the numbers of aircraft and routes.

Bmi said: "The number of full-time equivalent jobs at risk of redundancy is expected to be approximately 600. However further job cuts cannot be ruled out."

The airline said the "worst recession in the UK since records began" and a wider downturn in demand for air travel meant it would suspend loss-making routes, and make use of 'synergies with Lufthansa and other partner airlines'.

It will cut the numbers of planes in its mainline operations from 39 to 30 next year, and will not renew leases on a number of other aircraft when they expire.

BMI announced earlier this month it would cut 160 jobs from its bmi baby low cost airline.