Thomas Cook

[WYIA]

Looks like the TCX went tech down-route today. A replacement tail is positioning from EMA this evening to minimize the delay to the AYT flight.

 

[backtrack]

Looks like the TCX went tech down-route today. A replacement tail is positioning from EMA this evening to minimize the delay to the AYT flight.

Is this replacement a similar a320?

 

[012tom012]

Yep, was G-CRPH.

 

[pilot_737]

I was just wondering, does anyone know where the based TCX aircraft goes to on Saturdays. I think it does a W pattern to Palma and then somewhere?

(I tried to do a search but it says the function isn't available to me)

 

[backtrack]

BJV? 22.00 departure.

 

[pilot_737]

Sorry, what I meant was where does it W to? Humberside?!

Thanks

 

[backtrack]

I didnt even think TCX did a W pattern on the PMI. I dont think it has time judging by the departure and arrival times for LBA...

 

[012tom012]

Yeah it does on a Saturday, leaves LBA at 0640 I think and doesn't arrive back until about 9 o'clock.

 

[backtrack]

Look out this Saturday...

 

[pilot_737]

What times does it go then B767?

looking on libhomeradar it seems to fly upto Glasgow and then back to Palma, but thats not listed on theTCX website.

 

[lbia]

Norwich I believe.

 

[Aviador]

The TCX is delayed again due ATC strikes in Greece apparently.

 

[Aviador]

Bad news I'm afraid (if true).

I have learnt today that Thomas Cook are looking at closing their LBA base at the end of the winter season. Crew have been informed that all booked flights are to be operated by a third party airline.

On a positive note I would think Jet2 will be the likely candidate to operate the flights for Thomas Cook. Assuming the reports are correct and Jet2 is the airline that picks up the flights, this should at least open the door to more destinations in Greece by Jet2holidays.

 

[lbaspotter]

I wonder if this might have something to do with the rumour that Monarch Airlines staff were seen in and around the area a couple of weeks ago?

Or just maybe this has just co-in seeded with the latest announcement by Jet2.com. Whom have said that they are looking at increasing there passengers through put from 1.2 million this year to 1.8 million next year 2011 from its LBA home base. Jet2 already operate some allocation of seats on services to Faro, Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Arrecife, Heraklion, Corfu & Rhodes for Thomas Cook Holidays

Jet2 would also have to find the room in the existing 11 based fleet scheduled for next summer 2011 or add and extra base aircraft to fit in some new routes that they currently dont serve from LBA to places such as Antalya, Kos, Zakynthos, Las Palmas, Fuerteventura.

Meanwhile they Jet2 may also have put extra flights on or put aircraft upgrades onto services to Bodrum, Dalaman, Palma, Tenerife, Arrecife, Ibiza, Mahon, Palma, Enfidha & Cyprus-Larnaca for next summer as all these destinations will be under served compared to last summer 2010.

Anyway Lets just wait and see what happens, It maybe that something else turns up. Both Astraeus & BMI brtish midland charter have done Thomas Cook holiday charter work from LBA in the past. So maybe they might return with a based aircraft for the summer.

 

[Aviador]

I don't know but it would be nice to see another operator take it's place rather than Jet2, nothing against Jet2 of course but the variety of airlines at LBA is dwindling sadly.

 

[lbia]

I heard from a supposedly reputable source that Astraeus are to take over.

I think it would make financial sense for Jet2 to do it, an extra 757 would be great and we are taking on 13 new 757 rated pilots for next summer at LBA, seems a lot to me considering East Midlands is only getting 9 new pilots and Glasgow only 6, both with extra 757 operations from next summer.

Perfect scope for growth and another nice little earner under the belt. I think Jet2 would be stupid to turn down the offer, but it does of course come down to money at the end of the day.

 

[White Heather]

It is disappointing, but whoever does the booked flights, at least they are still operating and Thomas Cook remain committed to delivering passengers to the airport. I too would like to see more varied airlines and aircraft types coming in rather than everything being Jet2, but on the other hand, Jet2 are our airline and if this ensures their continued success and possibly growth at LBA then so be it. We may still see some TCX aircraft here doing W rotations, and who knows, when the markets change again they may be back. It isn't the first time bases have closed and it won't be the last, but they do sometimes come back again. All airlines must currently be looking at ways of saving money and having single aircraft bases is possibly one they are looking at - just as TOM did a few years back.

 

[Aviador]

Absolutely agree White Heather. If you imagine the cost of putting crews and engineers in hotels overnight or coaching them too & throw from Manchester or else where, it all adds up.

It is worth mentioning that other airports around the country are said to be faced with the same situation where a third party airline is going to be drafted in. Supposedly many of the smaller TCX bases are going to close not just Leeds.

 

[jason1-11]

Its always bad news when a basesd airline closes their operations, but its a double blow as they are the LBA's only based charter operator.

What impact will that have on Thomas Cooks Winter 2011 and future programmes? Only time will tell.

 

[White Heather]

I doubt it will make a difference as I feel sure Jet2 will simply pick up what TCX leave. After all, the Jet2 fleet is well under-used in the winter and the aircraft are there if they are needed. Since the Jet2 crews are based here, it is far more cost effective to do the charters using Jet2 aircraft than TCX, and it could actually encourage them to do more in winter, not less. At the moment we only have a part time based TCX aircraft for most of the winter, whereas if Jet2 do the flights they are here all the time.