Thomas Cook

[Finger66]

It would be great to see TCX aircraft back at LBA. However I fear that a based TCX a/c may be at the expense of one or both of the MON a/c. There has been plenty of speculation around them closing a base or bases

 

[lbaspotter]

It would be great to see TCX aircraft back at LBA. However I fear that a based TCX a/c may be at the expense of one or both of the MON a/c. There has been plenty of speculation around them closing a base or bases

Well the Thomas Cook Holidays website shows flights from LBA been operated by Monarch Airlines next summer 2018 season to Naples, Cyprus Larnaca, Alicante, Mahon, Faro, Palma, Tenerife South & Dalaman
Also we will be seeing Thomas Cooks own metal back at LBA this winter as they are due to operate a Lapland day trip in the run up to xmas.

 

[White Heather]

I love the yellow and grey TCX livery so that is definitely one I want to see and photograph.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

If they were to set up base in LBA you reckon we'd be able to sustain TOM to? LBA's history with these two big players as always been one sets up base for the following summer and then the other disappears. They have a love affair with the airport for a couple of summer seasons before getting bored and moving on. Then the other comes back. And it has continued like that for as long as i can remember.

 

[Aviador]

Something that we Leeds forumers constantly talk about is LBAs ability to sustain more than two major operators. We used to say this when passenger numbers were less than 2m pa now passenger numbers are approaching 4m there should be no reason why LBA can't sustain multiple charter / holiday flight operators.

 

[White Heather]

No reason at all Aviador. Lets not forget that LBA is still carrying only a fraction of the overall passenger numbers flying on holiday charters from our region - the vast majority are still going to MAN, with some to DSA and EMA or (for the Northern end) NCL. Many of those are simply due to their loyalty to holiday companies such as Thomson and the on-going lack of options provided by those companies from LBA. We should be able to fill at least 2 TUi 737s out of LBA, and still have a TCX base, without negatively impacting on JetHolidays.com.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

It's all okay us saying this; however these two big tour operators don't, in my opinion, like LBA as it is too close to their main operations at MAN. They serve it, as need to basis rather then a want to basis, based on the stats that they get of customers travelling on the M62 to use their product. I mean look at the routes out of LBA for TOM; they practically compliment the services out of MAN and for TOM DSA.

 

[White Heather]

You are probably right regarding Thomson, but I don't agree re Thomas Cook. T hey had a good range of destinations out of LBA with a based aircraft for a good few years and it was only their financial issuesthat led to their withdrawal from LBA and some other airports. They are slowly re-building though and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they came back with a based aircraft within the next 3 to 5 years. If they don't (and this will apply to Thomson too) they can expect to lose an increasing number of customers to Jet2 Holidays, who do cater for the customers of the Leeds City Region.

 

[White Heather]

At today's LBA Consultative Committee it was confirmed by Airport Management that we will see a once weekly Thomas Cook A321 at LBA in Summer 2018. The flight will operate throughout the summer on Thursdays to Antalya, Turkey. I presume it will be an afternoon flight using an aircraft on a W leg. This is only one flight - but nevertheless represents a welcome return to LBA of Thomas Cook Airlines.

 

[lbaspotter]

At today's LBA Consultative Committee it was confirmed by Airport Management that we will see a once weekly Thomas Cook A321 at LBA in Summer 2018. The flight will operate throughout the summer on Thursdays to Antalya, Turkey. I presume it will be an afternoon flight using an aircraft on a W leg. This is only one flight - but nevertheless represents a welcome return to LBA of Thomas Cook Airlines.

Yep its definitly a W-leg using a Thomas Cook Airlines, Airbus A321. The starts Thursday May 3rd 2018 and will run 1x weekly up until October 25th.

TCX825 = AYT 13:35 – LBA 16:15 / TCX824 = LBA 17:20 – AYT 23:35

 

[Jerry]

Yep its definitly a W-leg using a Thomas Cook Airlines, Airbus A321.

It might be a BRS based one because they are doing it for CWL with a W-leg A321 from BRS.

 

[a300boy]

Very good news indeed !

 

[markietg]

Looks like it's the NCL based A321.

 

[Finger66]

Yep its definitly a W-leg using a Thomas Cook Airlines, Airbus A321. The starts Thursday May 3rd 2018 and will run 1x weekly up until October 25th.

TCX825 = ATY 13:35 – LBA 16:15 / TCX824 = LBA 17:20 – ATY 23:35

Always thought the code for Antalya was AYT. Don't want anyone getting too giddy about another random destination. Sorry to be picky!

 

[lbaspotter]

Always thought the code for Antalya was AYT. Don't want anyone getting too giddy about another random destination. Sorry to be picky!

Yeap your right Finger66, I'm wrong!

I hope you don't get too over excited now.

 

[Finger66]

Never do that for two reasons. Firstly its LBA and however much I would love to see the exotic the bread and butter wins every time. Secondly know how dyslexia or typos take over hence the exclamation mark in my previous post. What is fantastic is that we see TCX in their own right and with an A321 to boot

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Thomas Cook pilots start the first of their 24 hours strikes tomorrow, with another 4 planned, 49 flights cancelled tomorrow, add Ryanair not a happy position for LCC carriers

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

TCX welcome back! With a W A321 i hope this is the start of the return back. I hope we can get both TCX and TUI but LBA has always had a history of loosing one and keeping W patterns with the other.

 

[White Heather]

Well, as Thomas Cook's main carrier at LBA (Monarch) had now gone, they have a decision to make for Summer 18. Do they increase their offering and give us a based aircraft - maybe two - although I tend to think that might not happen until 2019. Or do they transfer all the bookings to MAN and make another load of passengers unhappy.

 

[Bigman]

I would go with your second option White Heather. Been done many times before.