Leeds Bradford: TUI Airways Flights, New Routes & Schedule Updates

[Tarn Spotter]

Certainly Egypt would never at the moment be on my list, I always carry tramadol and between use we carry 23 other tablets etc. Don't fancy getting in and out without a lot of hassle, can be bad enough getting out of Spain.

 

[Jerry]

And there is the key Local Yokel. Given the chance.............; and with MAN over the hill, and the DSA base down the A1, being given that chance is the problem. The 787 is not a problem from LBA's runway, just as it isn't at BRS either. The problem is persuading TUi to invest in LBA when doing so is sure to have some impact on their ops from DSA and MAN - particularly DSA.

Problem is LBA doesn't have a 757 base and probably won't either so a based aircraft couldn't do Cape Verde. The only thing i can think of is if TUI treat it as a 787 destination only so it goes part of the long haul programme which means they will be more likely to operate it to airport's they already operate long haul too rather than LBA where they don't operate any long haul at the moment.

 

[a300boy]

But no one has brought a B787 to Leeds yet and the two people I know who fly them for a living have told me they would not be happy to land here in one.
The only people who tell us it is no problem is the Airport Management and spotters.

 

[Jerry]

But no one has brought a B787 to Leeds yet and the two people I know who fly them for a living have told me they would not be happy to land here in one. Yhe only people who tell us it is no pro

Do they say why they wouldn't be happy to land at LBA?

 

[a300boy]

Yes the aircraft floats and with the short landing distances which are similar to Bristol plus the runway slope that Leeds has it would be marginal in good weather and even worse in crosswind or low visibility situations.
Ba only did two training approaches to Leeds and did not touch down then changed to Tee-Side so they could do touch and go plus full stop landings.

 

[a300boy]

Just to be fair neither of them wanted to land a 787 at Bristol either but after 4 or 5 visits are now a bit happier but remember that runway is into wind most of the time.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

How much room is there at LBA to extend the runway and what has been the management's/owner's views on it? There is room at BRS but the airport management/owners say it's not necessary given the new type of aircraft coming on stream. I have a feeling this might come back to bite them. It might have already.

 

[Aviador]

How much room is there at LBA to extend the runway and what has been the management's/owner's views on it? There is room at BRS but the airport management/owners say it's not necessary given the new type of aircraft coming on stream. I have a feeling this might come back to bite them. It might have already.

The LBA management have had a very similar stance to the BRS managers up until now. This could change in the future.

As for scope for runway extensions that's a tough one to answer but here's my take on the matter; an extension or starter strip to the SE end of upto but no more than 300m is possible. This could potentially benefit both landing and departing traffic. Runway 14 is less advantageous but a similar length of around 300m is achievable. This is much less favourable as it wouldn't benefit landing traffic on runway 14, with its short LDA.

 

[lbaspotter]

Hearing more muterings that Canadian based Airline Sunwing will be operating the LBA based aircraft Summer 2018 programme for TUi.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

We have commitment from TUI and our new airport CEO went and got more out of them when Monarch collapsed. So whilst mutterings of Sunwing 737-800 are a little disappointing i'm glad that they are running more or less a full programme with 4 sectors out of LBA.

 

[oldendays]

The thought of Sunwing operating on behalf of TUi proper is disappointing. As I've said previously, it smacks of 'Thomson lite', as if certain lesser airports are only worthy of the second-tier service. However, it is better than nothing and it isn't as if other airlines don't have similar arrangements, Jet2 being a case in point with their Titan tie-up.

 

[White Heather]

It is no different to what Thomas Cook were intending for LBA had their new proposed base gone ahead. Considering how low down TUi's priority list LBA was, I am happy to see any increase in flights and don't really care whether the aircraft is Canadian or one of TUi's own. It is still an ultra modern 737 800 with TUi cabin crew, so don't really see that the livery (which I prefer anyway) and Canadian flight deck crew makes much difference. Unless TUi increase the size of their fleet to accommodate LBA, or remove a based aircraft from an existing base to re-allocate to LBA (which may happen in time if their commit to expansion at LBA), then we are likely to continue with Sunwing for the time being. We need to remember too that when Monarch went under, the plans for summer 2018 were already in place. It isn't realistic to expect TUi or anyone else to change all their plans to perhaps serve LBA better until Summer 2019.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Hey at least we have a Thomson presence.

On another note - it appears the PMI rotation on a Sunday will be a PMI based unit (AEA!?) as below:
LBA 10:40 - PMI 14:25 / = PMI 08:00 - LBA 09:50.

 

[lbaspotter]

Hey at least we have a Thomson presence.

On another note - it appears the PMI rotation on a Sunday will be a PMI based unit (AEA!?) as below:
LBA 10:40 - PMI 14:25 / = PMI 08:00 - LBA 09:50.

That is still showing confirmed as been operated by Spanish based charter airline Albastar. (Flight No's AP6907/6908)
Air Europa are booked to operate the Monday charter flight to Palma for Thomas Cook Holidays..

 

[LBA787]

The big question is will tui look to expand at LBA once their Max’s deliveries start later this year. I think I’m right in saying the first lot are for expected fleet expansion before the 757’s start retiring in the early 2020’s. Some of the 738’s leases will also be coming to an end around then so that could play a part but again not before 2020’s. The way I see it a couple of years for expansion with the Max’s going into LGW, MAN & BHX freeing up 738’s for expansion at other bases.

 

[oldendays]

Considering Britannia/Thomson/TUi have had an operation from LBA since 1976 (albeit not continuous) you would think they'd had plenty of time to get properly and firmly established at Yorkshire's airport. I guess they didn't anticipate the curveball in the shape of Jet2 who have clearly stolen a march on them and Thomas Cook.

 

[lbaspotter]

Considering Britannia/Thomson/TUi have had an operation from LBA since 1976 (albeit not continuous) you would think they'd had plenty of time to get properly and firmly established at Yorkshire's airport. I guess they didn't anticipate the curveball in the shape of Jet2 who have clearly stolen a march on them and Thomas Cook.

They had a fully established year round based operations at Leeds before it became a summer only base..
That was until Doncaster-Sheffield Airport came along and where they now have that fully established base in Yorkshire.

Airtours/My Travel along and Thomas Cook all had a crack at year round operations at LBA before Monarch found a gap and came along..

 

[lbaspotter]

The big question is will tui look to expand at LBA once their Max’s deliveries start later this year. I think I’m right in saying the first lot are for expected fleet expansion before the 757’s start retiring in the early 2020’s. Some of the 738’s leases will also be coming to an end around then so that could play a part but again not before 2020’s. The way I see it a couple of years for expansion with the Max’s going into LGW, MAN & BHX freeing up 738’s for expansion at other bases.

The 737 Maxes are been split up between the group. I understand the first one rolled off the production line a Boeing Renton last week with a OO reg meaning first lot are off to TUi Fly Belgium.
It will be interesting to see if the German division TUI Fly get theres before TUi UK or TUi Fly Netherlands (Arke Fly).

 

[Seasider]

I don't think that we will see expansion from TUI until the contract at DSA is for renewal. LBA may have chance of doing a good deal with them then. The problem is that they have very little competition at DSA so can charge what they want. They are not going to jeopardise that to expand at LBA.

 

[rmac]

The TUi operation is fairly small, only 2 based aircraft and hasn't really expanded in the last few years by much so I would have thought a second aircraft at LBA would have little impact on DSA, after all Monarch had 2
based at LBA. I can see TUi gradually expanding at Leeds over the next 2 years. Does anyone know when their deal with DSA is up for renewal?