Thomas Cook

[Sherburnflyer92]

It has always surprised me that TCX have never offered Corfu from LBA, leaving it entirely to Thomson. I would have thought there was demand sufficient to keep both tour operators going on that route as it is surely one of the most popular destinations in Greece?

When me & my friends booked corfu for this summer, out of LBA with TCX we were put on the LS flight. Alas, we ended up out of MAN with them, as it was "cheaper" & "better" flight times. So probably don't need to. Plus thomson don't just have it to themselves, Jet2 & jet2 holidays have some market share.

 

[White Heather]

I know that Jet2 operate to Corfu, but I was just thinking of the 'big boys' in the IT market, which in this area is still Thomson and Thomas Cook. I simply can't believe that the demand isn't there sufficient to fill one A320 a week out of LBA to CFU, in addition to the Thomson 757.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

The only other reason i would think of is that change over day in corfu for TCX is on a monday compared to TOM on a friday. If we look, Monday for TCX on a single based a/c is full. Unless they have it W pattern it off from somewhere bringing in a 757? Do what TOM do on a friday, and have the a/c do EMA-CFU-LBA-CFU-EMA?

 

[tleeds]

Sorry White Heather, that was my mistake your correct in that Paphos is operated by Jet2.

Nicholas1992, I do believe that Thomas Cook and Thomson have various flights to Corfu, both on a Monday and Friday from many airports in the UK. Jet2 notably operated the Corfu service on a Monday, and have done for the past two Summer seasons.
The Thomson aircraft that operated the Corfu service on a Friday, I believe was Birmingham based and conducted the BHX-CFU-LBA-CFU-BHX routes, your right though and TCX could operate it on a 'W' pattern but it's unlikely to happen when they still have gaps in the based aircraft's operations.

I think that we have answered our question on Corfu if they are already taking availability on Jet2 flights from both MAN and LBA, although we have seen them revert their decision in the past e.g. - Tenerife. :dunno:

 

[whoshotjimmi]

There is, of course, the fact that flights to Corfu are conducted predominantly on a Monday & Friday due to local regulations regarding noise etc.

 

[airbus]

Hi i have been told by some who works at the airport that Thomas cook might be basing a Boeing 757-200 at Leeds for summer 2012

 

[tleeds]

If this were to happen, then it would be a move that could be described as 'expected'. You could say that if Thomas Cook ever wanted to 'widen the horizon' at LBA and introduce more routes at possible longer distances then the B752 looks to be a valid option.

In addition to the fact that the Thomas Cook B752's will not be leaving the TCX fleet until around 2014 they have plenty of time to test the market at LBA. Due to braking problems with the A321 at LBA as well, this would be the likely alternative for increased capacity at the airport.

I would also be in favour for a second A320. This would mean that two routes could be operated instead of one, meaning that the choice and variety of destinations offered by TCX at LBA would be greatly increased.

This could be in response to the recent reports of TCX's financial difficulties.... in a way they are pulling their finger out and doing the opposite to what many airlines often do, and cut routes!

 

[Seasider]

I think that increasing capacity by flying the B757 is sensible. Putting another A320 and doubling capacity would be foolish, unless it was only for part of the week.

 

[Aviador]

I think that increasing capacity by flying the B757 is sensible. Putting another A320 and doubling capacity would be foolish, unless it was only for part of the week.

I don't see how it would be foolish to add a second Thomas Cook aircraft to LBA. I am sure LBA has the capability of handling more IT traffic. The very reason is why Jet2 have TEN aircraft sat on the deck. The problem Thomas Cook face is do they increase flights from LBA and reduce capacity at a neighbouring airport to reduce the risk of diluting their own passengers. However, the boom in low cost flights primarily from Manchester is going to do far more damage to Thomas Cook than biting the bullet and basing a second aircraft at LBA.

 

[lbaspotter]

It's a big risk to take for it to go from a single based Airbus A320 to 2x 180 seater Airbus A320's for a company like Thomas Cook who a cutting back there fleet this winter. You double the costs of the base straight away.

Where as an upgrade to a single Boeing 757-200 from the current single Airbus A320 is only increasing capacity from 180 seats up to 235 seats. As most routes there serve from here been run either once or twice weekly at most.
If it was to happen I guess Manchester based flight crews would have to operate the flights for a while due to the Leeds based crews having to be retrained at a good expense onto the Boeing 757. Or they will have to be re-accommodated onto another base.
For the Leeds based cabin crew it not as hard to convert them from the A320 onto the B757. But it would also require additional crew members to be employed..

 

[lbaspotter]

It's a big risk to take for it to go from a single based Airbus A320 to 2x 180 seater Airbus A320's for a company like Thomas Cook who a cutting back there aircraft fleet this winter. You double the costs of the base straight away.

Where as an upgrade to a single Boeing 757-200 from the current single Airbus A320 is only increasing capacity from 180 seats up to 235 seats. As most routes there serve from here been run either once or twice weekly at most.
If it was to happen I guess Manchester based flight crews would have to operate the flights for a while due to the Leeds based crews having to be retrained at a good expense onto the Boeing 757 fleet. Or they will have to be re-accommodated onto another base.

For the Leeds based cabin crew it not as hard to convert them from the A320 onto the B757. But it would also require additional crew members to be employed..

 

[Bigman]

I thought it was going to be an Astraeus 757 though?

 

[lbaspotter]

I heard Monarch Airlines as well are to do some work for Thomas Cook Holidays next summer using there Boeing 757-200's. Don't know if Leeds was included on the list though

Thomas Cook Holidays would take an 80% allocation of the aircraft while Monarch would sell the other 20% of seats on there own using there own brand www.flymorach.com

which would make more sence.

 

[Aviador]

Hi Lbaspotter

It wouldn't necessarily be a big risk to Thomas Cook if the airlines most profitable part of the business is the European arm. I understand it's the company's long haul business that's being cut back because it's not making any money.

If the European arm is making money there's shouldn't be any more risk to Thomas Cook setting up a second aircraft than say Ryanair or Jet2 adding an additional aircraft.

I was once told one of the reasons Thomson's pulled their base from Leeds was because it was more expensive to pay for outsourcing engineering cover which tends to be one of the disadvantages of running a single aircraft base. Thomas Cook have outsourced engineering cover and paid for engineers from other bases to stopover at LBA in recent years. It would probably work out cheaper to pay for an engineering base at LBA serving two aircraft bringing overall running costs down thus making the overall cost of running the base cheaper.

Fingers crossed for a larger aircraft type anyway and lets hope this is a step towards a two aircraft base soon.

 

[User0001]

LBA isn't slot regulated, but airlines still have to file their intended flying programmes for co-ordination purposes and I can confirm that TCX have filed their summer 12 programme showing a based 757.

Monarch have also filed for a based 757 but because this shows the same flying pattern as the TCX one, then it is safe to assume this is because there is still a debate about whether it will be a TCX machine or a MON machine.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I'd go with a TCX machine! Don't see why MON would jump into the LBA charter market.

 

[lbaspotter]

LBA isn't slot regulated, but airlines still have to file their intended flying programmes for co-ordination purposes and I can confirm that TCX have filed their summer 12 programme showing a based 757.

Hi LS16.

Interesting info, and confirms what I had heard a few weeks ago...

But can you enlighten us to what the based aircraft's full flying programme will be for next summer out of LBA according to the slots that have been filed with ACL by both TCX and MON??

I'm only asking seen that the Thursday afternoon (Replacement for Kos) and Saturday overnight (Replacement for Bodrum) slots have not been replaced with anything new or extra yet according to the Thomas Cook booking website.

Just wondering if you could give us a heads-up for some more new routes to be announced or if they are adding extra flights to an existing destination...

Thanks in advance.....

 

[User0001]

Destinations aren't shown at this stage. The MON filing does have a thurs afternoon operation running between end May and end Sept but the TCX one doesn't. Neither the MON or TCX patterns have anything on a Saturday other than en early morning departure.

The TCX plan is much more detailed and has all of the adjusted patterns that kick in during the start and end of the season so it looks like more thought has gone into their submission. The MON is much more basic and is probably there in case they pick up the TCX contract. It's too similar to the TCX patterns to suggest it is anything they are doing for themselves

 

[tleeds]

From what seems to be going on, it could just be a Monarch 757 standing in for the Thomas Cook 757. With both companies retiring their 757 fleet however, how long will it be until an alteration is made....

From what I recall, Monarch only have 2 or 3 757's left and so Thomas Cook can't rely on them fully, if these are to be retired within the next 2 years.

It is good news however, and I shouldn't be looking upon it in a negative way.. I wonder what will happen with the stand organisation now though, as Thomas Cook can't have stand 7 anymore, and I don't think Ryanair and Jet2 would be too impressed having their aircraft 'pushed down' further away from the terminal...

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

If thats the case, then a Jet2 757 could be brought onto stand after the first FR departure. Meaning whatever FR a/c is on stand 8, HAS to leave on the 1st departure for FR. Or better Jet2 stand there ground and it's FR'S a/c that are moved.

What was last years stand plan -

6 -KLM F70
7 -TCX A320 (with a LS733 been pulled on after departure)
8 -FR 738
9 -LS757
10 -LS757
11 -LS733
12 -FR738
13 - LS757

Rest was jiggled around, moved around after certain departures etc! So if this is the case i'd go with

6 - KLM F70
7 - FR 738 (if the airport has any balls, tell FR to lump it or leave it) - OR Jet2 733 moved onto
8- TCX/MON 757
9/10 - LS757
11 - FR 738
12 - FR738
13- LS757
14 - FR738(If they don't like 7, and throw a ICKLE tantrum).

rest Jet2! Jigged.