CALLS have been made for the Government to help secure jobs at Castle Donington-based airline BMI if it is sold.

Parent firm Lufthansa confirmed earlier this month that it was considering selling all or part of BMI.

It is not clear how this would affect its 527 employees at its Donington Hall head office.

Now the British Airline Pilots' Association has voiced concern about the move.

The association's general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "We've already seen, with Bombardier, another East Midlands-based employer, what can happen if the Government doesn't intervene. Our message to the Government is clear - don't let BMI become another Bombardier." He said unemployment was on the increase and jobs across Britain were at risk.

He said: "Too often in the UK, compared to elsewhere in Europe, the human factor is ignored. "These are highly skilled and trained pilots whose worth won't appear on the balance sheet but will add real value to an airline and our economy.

"Airlines are circling BMI as a potential way to assetstrip its prized landing slots at the world's most congested hub airport, London Heathrow.

" The association has called for Transport Secretary Philip Hammond to hold talks with Lufthansa to stress that any deal should protect British jobs.

But a Department for Transport spokesman said the possible sale of BMI was "a commercial matter".

He said: "As a responsible company, we would expect Lufthansa to ensure that any sale is completed in a manner which respects the rights of employees."

In the first half of this year, BMI made losses of £105 million.

Uprisings in the Middle East and rising fuel prices were blamed.