Thomas Cook

[Severn]

I know we are only in August 2018, however I noticed a change to the TCX BRS 2019 schedule and realised that impacted the TCX CWL 2019 scheduled too..


Summary of TCX Routes - Summer 2019

I've compared a week in August 2019 to the same week in 2018 of Thomas Cook Airlines schedule from CWL.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of routes operating per week:
2018: 11
2019: 11
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flights per week:
2018: 16
2019: 15 (-1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of aircraft based:
2018: 1x A320 (operated by SmartLynx)
2019: 1x A320 (operated by ???)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekly Frequencies: (a '[+]' or '[-]' represents change from 2018)

2x Weekly
Dalaman (DLM)
Majorca (PMI) [-1]
Tenerife (TFS)
Zante (ZTH)

1x Weekly
Enfidha (NBE) (NEW) [+1]
Antalya (AYT)
Ibiza (IBZ)
Lanzarote (ACE)
Larnaca (LCA)
Reus (REU)
Rhodes (RHO)

Dropped
Bourgas (BOJ) [-1]

SUMMARY
In 2018, the weekly AYT was operated by a BRS based TCX A321 on a W-Pattern.
In 2019, the weekly AYT will be operated by a CWL based A320 on a late Saturday night which will take the place of the BOJ flight that operated that time slot in 2018.

SCHEDULE (Departure times from CWL)
Mon: ZTH - 06:50 / DLM - 16:05
Tue: PMI - 07:10 / TFS - 14:15
Wed: NBE - 06:05 / RHO - 14:55
Thu: ZTH - 05:45 / ACE - 14:55
Fri: TFS - 06:10 / DLM - 16:30
Sat: PMI - 07:10 / IBZ - 13:50 / AYT - 20:40
Sun: REU - 07:40 / LCA - 14:00

 

[Jerry]

2 feet forward with Thomas Cook and half a step back! Thanks for the summary Severn.

 

[Jerry]

Gutted i missed this!
This evenings Antalya is operated by G-TCVC with the Monarch Cook livery!

 

[Jerry]

Looks like the A320 has gone tech as a Privilege 767 300er has flown in from Madrid and is down to operate today's Rhodes flight which should've departed at 13.30 the airport website has it down for a 21.15 departure.

 

[Jerry]

Thomas Cook have dropped Lanzarote after April and apparently replaced it with an extra Dalaman flight.

 

[Severn]

Summary of TCX Routes - Summer 2019

TCX have revised their Summer 2019 and CWL there has been a few changes at CWL
The main update is that the based aircraft is confirmed as a SmartLynx A320 which is the same as Summer 2018.
ACE has been replaced with a third weekly DLM and IBZ has been removed from the schedule on Saturdays, with the AYT taking it's place (AYT was scheduled to operate very late Saturday night after operating to IBZ in the afternoon).

I've compared a week in August 2019 to the same week in 2018 of Thomas Cook Airlines schedule from CWL.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of routes operating per week:
2018: 11
2019: 9 (-2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flights per week:
2018: 16
2019: 14 (-2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of aircraft based:
2018: 1x A320 (operated by SmartLynx)
2019: 1x A320 (operated by SmartLynx)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekly Frequencies: (a '[+]' or '[-]' represents change from 2018)

3x Weekly
Dalaman (DLM) [+1]

2x Weekly
Majorca (PMI) [-1]
Tenerife (TFS)
Zante (ZTH)

1x Weekly
Enfidha (NBE) (NEW) [+1]
Antalya (AYT)
Larnaca (LCA)
Reus (REU)
Rhodes (RHO)

Dropped
Bourgas (BOJ) [-1]
Ibiza (IBZ) [-1]
Lanzarote (ACE) [-1]


SUMMARY
In 2018, the weekly AYT was operated by a BRS based TCX A321 on a W-Pattern.
In 2019, the weekly AYT will be operated by a CWL based A320 on a Saturday afternoon which will take the place of the IBZ and BOJ flights that operated that time slot in 2018.

SCHEDULE (Departure times from CWL)
Mon: ZTH - 06:50 / DLM - 16:05
Tue: PMI - 07:10 / TFS - 14:15
Wed: NBE - 06:00 / RHO - 14:55
Thu: ZTH - 06:00 / DLM - 15:10
Fri: TFS - 06:10 / DLM - 16:30
Sat: PMI - 07:10 / AYT - 14:10
Sun: REU - 07:40 / LCA - 14:00

 

[Jerry]

Seem to have taken a step backwards with TCX for 2019. 3 routes stopped and less flights. A shame really.

 

[Cardiffbay]

Seem to have taken a step backwards with TCX for 2019. 3 routes stopped and less flights. A shame really.

Don’t forget they are starting a month earlier this year.

 

[Cardiffbay]

Don’t forget they are starting a month earlier this year.

Or next year even. Got a bit ahead of myself there.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Very disappointing. Especially losing 3 routes over increased frequencies to others. Obviously they know what works for them but I would agree is certainly a step back. Historically there's always been a Saturday night departure after IBZ so surprised to see 2 routes dropped in favour of better timings of 1 route.
Maybe the increases by TUI are starting to show. Begs the question if the dominance of TUI will now scare off a new holiday carrier, unless that holiday carrier is prepared for a fight!
Would've preferred to see Thomas cook Holidays use VYs PMI flights and reduce PMI further to maintain other routes.

 

[Jerry]

Or next year even. Got a bit ahead of myself there.

Yes they are in April but still disappointing to lose frequencies and 3 routes. It is a shame that unlike TUI they don't seem willing to use non based carriers to expand at airports like Cardiff even if it's a route like PMI where their own PMI based aircraft can cover it.

 

[louis_walton]

Holiday makers want more flexibility now as holidays are just becoming so much more expensive (cough cough Brexit) therefore adding frequencies is now needed to survive.

 

[Jerry]

Holiday makers want more flexibility now as holidays are just becoming so much more expensive (cough cough Brexit) therefore adding frequencies is now needed to survive.

Yet 5 of the routes are only 1 weekly. I think they have seen increased demand for Turkey and rather than use someone like freebird have cut what they may see as the least performing routes. Sad that they don't seem willing to expand beyond just the one aircraft.

 

[Tinkerman]

Upgrade to A321 for 2019.

Appears as though it’s still operated by SmartLynx.

 

[Jerry]

That is good news!

 

[Severn]

This is good news.
Due to the reduction in 2x flights per week however,
S18 - 15x weekly A320, 1x weekly A321,
S19 - 14 x weekly A321,
this will mean only 160 extra departing seats per week. That works out as 9,600 extra seats (inbound and outbound) over the season April-October

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

Add this to the additional TUI aircraft, this will see a big boost.

 

[Jerry]

News

3 January

Thomas Cook Airlines announces extra 29,000 seats from Cardiff



Thomas Cook Airlines, one of Europe’s leading leisure airlines, has announced the addition of over 29,000 extra seats on flights from Cardiff for summer 2019, representing an increase of 22% in capacity across its 11 routes.
This significant growth comes as the result of steady passenger growth at Wales’ national airport and the airline’s decision to introduce a larger Airbus A321 to its services from Cardiff.
Spencer Birns, Commercial Director at Cardiff Airport, said: “Today’s welcome announcement is a great start to 2019. Thomas Cook Airlines is one of a number of airlines that have shown confidence in Cardiff Airport over the past couple of years and recognising its potential, by adding more capacity and, in turn, stimulating choice for our customers.
“Thomas Cook Airlines’ exciting announcement also comes at the time of the year when customers are searching for great deals for their summer holidays, so it’s very welcome news and an exciting start to the year.
Henry Sunley, Commercial Director at Thomas Cook Airlines, said: “Cardiff Airport is a key airport for Thomas Cook Airlines. Increasing capacity at the Airport allows us to offer local customers even more choice and flexibility. We are especially pleased to be able to do so at the start of the year, at a time when we know our customers are looking to book some summer sun!”
For the first time since 2012, Thomas Cook Airlines will operate seven destinations from April, Arrecife* and Tenerife (Canary Islands); Antalya and Dalaman (Turkey), Larnaca (Cyprus), Majorca (Balearic Islands) and Enfidha (Tunisia), giving customers the chance to fly with Thomas Cook Airlines over the Easter holidays.
Rhodes and Zakynthos (Greek Islands), Ibiza (Balearic Islands) and Reus (Spain) will begin in May.
https://www.cardiff-airport.com/new...es-announces-extra-29-000-seats-from-cardiff/

 

[Seasider]

Isn't this the April start for a lot of flights, that were posted on here a couple of months ago?

 

[Jerry]

It's combined with the upgrade to an A321. Originally there was only 11,000 extra seats with the April start. The A321 boosts the rest of the year. Will be interesting to see if the A321 goes beyond into 2020 as well.