Cardiff: TUi Airways Base News & Discussions

[Nigel B]

Just a query, why does TUI seem reluctant to base a 737max at Cardiff?

 

[Jerry]

Just a query, why does TUI seem reluctant to base a 737max at Cardiff?

Could be that they want to convert the bigger bases first

 

[Cardiffbay]

Just a query, why does TUI seem reluctant to base a 737max at Cardiff?

i was told by one of their pilots they are a bit reluctant as Cardiff is seen as a high corrosion base due to its location right on the coast.

 

[CAN&I]

i was told by one of their pilots they are a bit reluctant as Cardiff is seen as a high corrosion base due to its location right on the coast.

Have heard that reason before. Not doubting the pilot whatsoever, but the Max 8's do seem to be allocated more towards TUI's larger bases. Its not as if the 800s or Max 8s are permanently based anywhere in particular either, most seem to be rotated through different bases over the course of each week.

 

[Cardiffbay]

Bristol is similar in size base to Cardiff and seems to be a MAX base. If I was TUI I would be reluctant to put my newer fleet at a high corrosion airfield.

 

[CAN&I]

Bristol is similar in size base to Cardiff and seems to be a MAX base. If I was TUI I would be reluctant to put my newer fleet at a high corrosion airfield.

Bristol was (most recently) a 6 x MAX base until last year, i.e. twice the size of the base at Cardiff during the peak summer season. This summer Bristol has lost 1 x MAX, with Cardiff gaining 1 x 800.

TUI rotates its 737 fleet through various bases during each week, so an aircraft is never permanently based anywhere in the true sense of the word.

As of 6am Thursday (21/05) the based aircraft are:

• BRS: MC / MF (2019), MP (2023) & OA / PA (2025)
• CWL: WD / WI (2012), WX (2014) & WW (2015)
• EXT: ZR (2009) & WP (2013)
• BOH: WC / WK (2012)

Naturally these will rotate around the network but while the 800 / MAX fleet ratio remains around 3:2, looking around the bases there is a definate mixture of both types based at LGW, STN, BHX, MAN, EMA and NCL whereas GLA & BRS are MAX only and CWL, EXT & BOH 800 only.

Could it be down to regional crew and handling training on the type perhaps?

 

[t.ash.27]

whereas GLA & BRS are MAX only and CWL, EXT & BOH 800 only.

Could it be down to regional crew and handling training on the type perhaps?

BRS have incentives for airlines that operate newer/ quieter aircraft

 

[Severn]

TUI move individual aircraft around bases all the time, however they do have a plan for which type is based where.
The below list shows the S26 plan for B738/B38M placement at all TUIs bases:
LGW (12) - B738 (7) / B38M (5)
MAN (10) - B738 (5) / B38M (5)
BHX (8) - B738 (4) / B38M (4)
EMA (6) - B738 (2) / B38M (4)
NCL (5) - B738 (1) / B38M (4)
BRS (5) - B38M (5)
GLA (4) - B38M (4)
CWL (4) - B738 (4)
STN (2) - B738 (2)
BOH (2) - B738 (2)
EXT (2) - B738 (2)
BFS (1) - B738 (op by Fly4 Airlines)
NWI (1) - B738 (op by Fly4 Airlines)
BHX, BRS, GLA, LGW and MAN have all had the B38Ms based there for at least the last five years. EMA joined them a few years ago.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

There are strong rumours and plans conspiring that TUI may possibly base a 5th aircraft for Summer 27 and a 3rd for Winter (unsure whether 26/27 or 27/28).

This comes from sources working for TUI on a Facebook group. All seems very promising but still in the planning stages apparently.

To quote “working inside TUI at Cardiff we have recently been told that we are hopefully getting the 5th aircraft for summer and for winter getting a third aircraft with additional to that tfw adding additional train services every 30mins from Cardiff central to rhoose so hopefully they decide which routes soon to use the additional aircrafts for”

This comes as they’ve apparently been “very impressed with the 4th aircraft this year”

This should be monitored closely as parties at TUI & Cardiff Airport are having active meetings and hopefully all parties agree and an announcement will be coming soon.

TBC but be prepared for positivity here

 

[Jerry]

A 4th and then a 5th in 2 summers? That would be very surprising but would be amazing news, a 3rd for winter would be fantastic as well. Would be interesting to see what routes they expand and add.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

A 4th and then a 5th in 2 summers? That would be very surprising but would be amazing news, a 3rd for winter would be fantastic as well. Would be interesting to see what routes they expand and add.

Yes very surprising if it comes together but obviously they are clearly making money and see Cardiff as a future major base.

If it is a S27 launch then they need to get the plans sorted soon since they usually like a longer lead up time for sales to build up. Unsure if the winter is planned for this coming winter but to be confirmed soon apparently.

Keep an eye out

 

[Jerry]

Yes very surprising if it comes together but obviously they are clearly making money and see Cardiff as a future major base.

If it is a S27 launch then they need to get the plans sorted soon since they usually like a longer lead up time for sales to build up. Unsure if the winter is planned for this coming winter but to be confirmed soon apparently.

Keep an eye out

Keep the fingers crossed though I will admit part of me is a bit concerned they may put all their eggs in one basket and would love to see more expansion from Ryanair but TUI is a long term partner of the airport and are a cautious firm. Would be fantastic to see 10 TUI departures a day. With winter i'd expect it to be 2027/28 rather than next winter.
I do wonder as well if the airport can persuade TUI to offer packages for Toronto as well using WestJet.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

Keep the fingers crossed though I will admit part of me is a bit concerned they may put all their eggs in one basket and would love to see more expansion from Ryanair but TUI is a long term partner of the airport and are a cautious firm. Would be fantastic to see 10 TUI departures a day. With winter i'd expect it to be 2027/28 rather than next winter.
I do wonder as well if the airport can persuade TUI to offer packages for Toronto as well using WestJet.

Yes we don’t want another Flybe situation but as you’ve said TUI are generally cautious and are in a good financial position I think.

Imagine if they do do W26/27 expansion it will continue the substantial growth and possible get 1.2m this year and next year could be 1.3/1.4m potentially unless the global economic situation worsens dramatically

 

[Jerry]

Imagine if they do do W26/27 expansion it will continue the substantial growth and possible get 1.2m this year and next year could be 1.3/1.4m potentially unless the global economic situation worsens dramatically

It's unlikely an extra based aircraft in winter would add enough seats especially if it didn't start until December.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

It's unlikely an extra based aircraft in winter would add enough seats especially if it didn't start until December.

True, 1.1m should be achievable this year hopefully and then next year could be major.

Guess it’s a waiting game hopefully news will follow soon

 

[Jerry]

True, 1.1m should be achievable this year hopefully and then next year could be major.

Guess it’s a waiting game hopefully news will follow soon

Fingers crossed for 1.1 million this year! Obviously 2027 is still a way to go, hopefully we will see more from the other airlines as well.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

There are strong rumours and plans conspiring that TUI may possibly base a 5th aircraft for Summer 27 and a 3rd for Winter (unsure whether 26/27 or 27/28).

This comes from sources working for TUI on a Facebook group. All seems very promising but still in the planning stages apparently.

To quote “working inside TUI at Cardiff we have recently been told that we are hopefully getting the 5th aircraft for summer and for winter getting a third aircraft with additional to that tfw adding additional train services every 30mins from Cardiff central to rhoose so hopefully they decide which routes soon to use the additional aircrafts for”

This comes as they’ve apparently been “very impressed with the 4th aircraft this year”

This should be monitored closely as parties at TUI & Cardiff Airport are having active meetings and hopefully all parties agree and an announcement will be coming soon.

TBC but be prepared for positivity here

While this all sounds great, I'd be surprised if CWL sees that level of expansion so soon after just receiving the latest extra aircraft. TUI are usually cautious in their expansion approach. We saw a period of slow increases using W pattern flights before we saw the extra aircraft.
As a holiday provider going from 1x weekly 7 day flights to 2x weekly providing 7 and 10 day options is a big step and they've increased most routes to that. I think it's on REU, EFL and DBV that are now 1x weekly.

While the numbers appear to be doing well on CWL's flights so far this year, having an extra 14 flights a week in summer and likely 7 flights a week in Winter to fill an aircraft is a big step. With schedule changes their could operate 2x flights a day on each aircraft without having to base an extra one.

Demand will always be higher at BRS because of it's catchment and there are routes TUI operate from BRS that have little or no competition. E.G Jet2 don't fly to Cape Verde, Croatia and Egypt. So I really can't see TUI offering these from CWL when they only operate some of these are 1x weekly from BRS with no competition. That doesn't leave many possible new route options.

Personally I'd rather see FR base at CWL and TUI use their flights for more options for holidays. FR will offer a much greater range of destinations and TUI passengers could support those numbers.

 

[geoff]

I think a 5th aircraft could be feasible, if TUI were to return to some of the old popular routes which have been flown from CWL in the past e.g. Girona, Madeira, Verona, Rimini, Sicily, Skiathos, Thessalonika. Rimini, even if the 5th aircraft was operational for some of the week. They are obviously under pressure at BRS, and when one considers 2 million people from this side of the bridge use BRS.

 

[CAN&I]

While this all sounds great, I'd be surprised if CWL sees that level of expansion so soon after just receiving the latest extra aircraft. TUI are usually cautious in their expansion approach. We saw a period of slow increases using W pattern flights before we saw the extra aircraft.
As a holiday provider going from 1x weekly 7 day flights to 2x weekly providing 7 and 10 day options is a big step and they've increased most routes to that. I think it's on REU, EFL and DBV that are now 1x weekly.

While the numbers appear to be doing well on CWL's flights so far this year, having an extra 14 flights a week in summer and likely 7 flights a week in Winter to fill an aircraft is a big step. With schedule changes their could operate 2x flights a day on each aircraft without having to base an extra one.

Demand will always be higher at BRS because of it's catchment and there are routes TUI operate from BRS that have little or no competition. E.G Jet2 don't fly to Cape Verde, Croatia and Egypt. So I really can't see TUI offering these from CWL when they only operate some of these are 1x weekly from BRS with no competition. That doesn't leave many possible new route options.

Personally I'd rather see FR base at CWL and TUI use their flights for more options for holidays. FR will offer a much greater range of destinations and TUI passengers could support those numbers.

^^^THIS^^^. Absolutely spot on.

Its a little early in the first summer season of a newly added aircraft to judge its success and to make a call to add another based aircraft in quick succession. TUI just don't operate that way as opposed to Jet2.

Can't help but think the usual fanatics have taken an off the cuff "wouldn't surprise us if they..." kind of remark to generate even more nonsense and whip up hysteria for the usual kudos of being the first to break the news. Not the first time they've done this.

We're still waiting for the imminent multi-aircraft easyJet and Ryanair bases these people promised us as a nailed on cert over 2 years ago. The same people who claimed bookings for Play would "definately" result in a daily service...

 

[Foxlimayankee]

I think a 5th aircraft could be feasible, if TUI were to return to some of the old popular routes which have been flown from CWL in the past e.g. Girona, Madeira, Verona, Rimini, Sicily, Skiathos, Thessalonika. Rimini, even if the 5th aircraft was operational for some of the week. They are obviously under pressure at BRS, and when one considers 2 million people from this side of the bridge use BRS.

I dont think Rimini, Sicilly, Skiathos or Thessalonika have been operated from CWL in the past 2 decades.
The others have been tried previously but haven't lasted.

Can't help but think the usual fanatics have taken an off the cuff "wouldn't surprise us if they..." kind of remark to generate even more nonsense and whip up hysteria for the usual kudos of being the first to break the news. Not the first time they've done this.

To be fair it was posted by a supposed employee of TUI on a Facebook group. The comments seemed believable but the reality of how these things work are often overlooked. I can see TUI adding more if things do go well but will be a slow cautious approach.
Unless of course theyre change in focus on flight only bookings as recently announced could see CWL used as a trial. Back to how the Thomsonfly days were 15-20 years ago were. Even with that I cant see TUI having an expansive city network that CWL needs.