Airline bmi has announced a restructuring involving a reduction in planes and routes and the possible loss of at least 600 jobs.

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

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."

Announcing that it was suspending loss-making routes, bmi said it was reducing the number of planes in its international operation from 39 to 30.

Flights from Heathrow to Brussels, Tel Aviv and Kiev, as well as to Aleppo in Syria, will be suspended in January and the service from Heathrow to Amsterdam will be suspended at the end of the current winter timetable period in March.

The seasonal services from Heathrow to Palma and Venice will not be reinstated in summer 2010.

Brian Boyd, national officer for civil aviation for the Unite union, said: "(Wednesday's) announcement is further indication of the difficulties in the airline industry.

"However, the fact that another 600 jobs are being lost confirms our belief that far too many employers are treating people's livelihoods with impunity. Unite understands the need to cut costs but job losses seem to be the knee-jerk reaction. To cut jobs so close to Christmas is at best insensitive."

He continued: "Unite met with bmi ... and will continue to do everything possible to reduce the need for compulsory redundancies and explore options to keep the pension scheme open.

"The uncertainty that comes with this news also casts doubts on other bmi operations, including its regional airline business in Aberdeen. We will be seeking assurances on the future of this important base."