By 2001 the number of employees in Maersk Air UK had risen to 490 and the first CRJ700 had been delivered. Meanwhile, British Airways was building up operations at Birmingham Airport through two other franchise agreements, with Brymond Airways and British Regional Airlines. The franchise agreement with Maersk, set to expire on 24 March 2001, was extended that month through the summer season. This spurred speculation that Maersk would abandon the franchising agreement. However, in August a five-year extension was signed.
