Monarch Airlines

[markietg]

Monarch Airlines are to base or part base an aircraft at LBA for Summer 2013 to operate flights for Thomson/First Choice Holidays. Flights to Palma and Dalaman are showing on the Thomson cruise site now.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I don't believe it till the airport announce it. Like i've said and like i will keep saying the times are too much like the Jet2 PMI flight times. The DLM is quite believable, however i would imagine that it will do other regional one day flights throughout the week. So LBA-DLM Mon, NWI-PMI Tu etc.

 

[markietg]

Nicholass, if the PMI flights are going to be operated by LS that would mean that they would have to start their double daily flights on Tuesdays(Afternoon flight) to PMI at the start of May and not July as they have done for the past 7 years.

 

[markietg]

Tuesdays Summer 13

LBA 0700-PMI 1035
PMI 1135-MME 1325
MME 1455-PMI 1835
PMI 1935-LBA 2115

 

[lbaspotter]

So it looks like the rumours of Monarch Airlines coming back to LBA maybe actually true afteral. But instead of working for Thomas Cook Holidays as we had all first thought they look to be working on behalf of Thomson Holidays instead.

Monarch Airlines did say a few weeks ago that they would be acquiring 2 more extra Airbus A320 aircraft and be announcing up to about 10 new routes operating from UK regional airports. Now i wonder if this was the plan?

 

[tleeds]

Sounds about right Lbaspotter...

Some members previously mentioned the A321 as a possibility and I think it could well be this aircraft, almost as much as the A320!

I know it's an issue that has been brought up before when Thomas Cook have brought their A321's in on numerous occasion's but is it an actual issue that the A321 operates out of LBA once, maybe twice a week...? Does anyone know of any legal issues or restrictions with the runway and braking action...?

Just for people's reference as well Monarch's A320's seat 174 passengers and their A321's seat 214 passengers..

Note: It could well be that Monarch use their own B752... They seat 229 passengers and although there are only 3 left, mainly used on charters (hint) I read somewhere they are not being retired until Summer 2014...?!

 

[channex 757]

I remember reading in one if the forums last year at some point that one of the managers of monarch airlines was spotted at the airport. If the rumours are true, it makes sense and that is probably what they were discussing

[ Post made via iPod ]

 

[ZB757]

From what I can see on TOM website is, Monarch operating PMI & Dalaman whilst TOM operating their CFU flights and then this winter TOM operating SSH & TFS with a 757 this winter! Looking good so far for LBA!

 

[tleeds]

Does this mean that Monarch are taking over duties from Air Europa who are operating TOM's Palma services this summer with their B738 aircraft, or is it too early to tell?

 

[markietg]

Monarch will base at LBA Mon-Thu and will operate as follows...

Monday LBA 1000 DLM 1615 DLM 1715 LBA 1945
Tuesday LBA 0700 PMI 1035 PMI 1135 MME 1325 MME 1455 PMI 1835 PMI 1935 LBA 2115
Wednesday LBA 0600 EFD 0925 EFD 1025 LBA 1350 LBA 1520 PFO 2200 PFO 2315 LBA 0215
Thursday LBA 1000 SSH 1625 SSH 1725 LBA 2215

EFD= Enfida, sorry don't know the 3 letter code!

 

[ZB757]

Have EFD & PFO & SSH been added to the summer timetable as well?

 

[Aviador]

That's great news and testament to all the new terminal development work the airport has been doing.

So basically they're operating:-

Dalaman
Palma
Paphos
Sharm El Sheikh
Enfida

...on behalf of Thomson's.

Where's the aircraft for the rest of the week does anybody know?

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Jet2 are also going under there own expansion plans at LBA with possibly fourth 757 based, i hope TCX also start to announce some expansion. It's very good for the airport, but i don't like how suddenly TOM is starting to creep back in after sticking two fingers up and going down the road to DSA. Will be nice to see a MON a/c. Would would assume the 757!? Possibe TFS flight on a friday? 1030 maybe.

 

[Aviador]

It's also interesting that they are going to be utilising LBA during the traditionally quieter week days as opposed to the busy weekend.

Nicholas1992 , You don't turn any business away, you welcome it with open arms especially if it's business you lost where they have decided to return. The extra competition will keep Jet2 on their toes and hopefully we'll be seeing some more adventurous routes from them knowing they need to 'raise the game'.

 

[LUFC Jonno]

It may sound ambitious but if these routes are a success next year, could it lead to Thomson/Monarch operating weekly flights to Sanford or Cancun in 2014/15?

 

[Aviador]

It may sound ambitious but if these routes are a success next year, could it lead to Thomson/Monarch operating weekly flights to Sanford or Cancun in 2014/15?

Wouldn't that be good, but one step at a time!

 

[markietg]

Don't forget Efinda Aviador! With those timings on the Thomson website I suppose the aircraft will position in on a Monday morning and back out late Thursday when she gets back from Sharm. There must be a reason why she is not staying an extra day to operate the CFU...which is showing as Thomson Airways. Perhaps Monarch need the aircraft back at Manchester for their weekend programme.

All in all a small increase but a very welcome one.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

It's also interesting that they are going to be utilising LBA during the traditionally quieter week days as opposed to the busy weekend.

Nicholas1992 , You don't tern any business away, you welcome it with open arms especially if it's business you lost where they have decided to return. The extra competition will keep Jet2 on their toes and hopefully we'll be seeing some more adventurous routes from them knowing they need to 'raise the game'.

It'll be good. Good for jobs espeically if they announce winter expansion. I'm a bit reluctant however to be open arms though as they can always go back to DSA.It is true, they will give Jet2 another platform to sit on, and raise it's game to yet another level.

 

[lbaspotter]

Great news that airport have secured some expansion from tour operator Thomson Holidays. It's been a long time waiting since there pull out to Donny.

I guess for once they have been listening to there customers, Also great to see another airline coming into Leeds/Bradford next summer. All 4 new services are great additional to the route network and hopefully will sell well.

 

[eastcoaster]

Just a thought, but what if the aircraft is based here for the whole week, and Friday to Sunday flying is for Thomas Cooks. There's no reason why an independent airline like MON can not fly for two tour operators from the same airport.