Thomas Cook

[Ray Finkle]

I believe we also have a couple of TCX flights per week on a MAN based Avion Express

 

[Brum X]

Also i noticed the other day that Condor has cancelled its planned new routes to Comiso in Italy from Frankfurt and Dusseldorf.
Anybody know how the new BHX route is doing ?? Its just abit odd that BHX is the only UK airport to this new resort airport.

 

[Daza]

Brum X I noticed this too, however holidays are bookable from Wednesday 3rd May. It's great that BHX now has two destiantions in Sicily.
Daza

 

[Brum X]

Brum X I noticed this too, however holidays are bookable from Wednesday 3rd May. It's great that BHX now has two destiantions in Sicily.
Daza

Thats good to know

 

[Ray Finkle]

Obviously very much subject to change but flights to Sharm are due to start again on Nov 6th.

Birmingham – Sharm el Sheikh eff 06NOV17 1 weekly A321Sharklet
MT376 BHX0920 – 1650SSH 32B 1
MT377 SSH1750 – 2200BHX 32B 1

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38...ok-uk-resumes-sharm-el-sheikh-service-in-w17/

 

[Brum X]

Great to have SSH back on the boards.

Will Enfidha (Tunisia) return any time soon ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

At the moment it seems as if it won't be back anytime soon

From the FCO Travel Advice website

Still current at:
3 March 2017
Updated:
16 February 2017
Latest update:

Summary and terrorism sections – the state of emergency has been extended by an additional 3 months

 

[Ray Finkle]

It looks as if we have some new routes for 2018.

Thessaloniki

With Greece bookings up more than 40% year on year across the Group, Thomas Cook will be offering this brand new destination on the Greek mainland, that is exclusive to Thomas Cook in the UK, and with flying into Thessaloniki available from Manchester and Birmingham.

Varna

With UK sales up 27% year on year for Bulgaria, Thomas Cook is adding the resort of Golden Sands, based on flights to Varna, from Manchester and Birmingham to compliment it’s programme into Bourgas.

Costa Brava (I'm assuming Girona?)

It was last featured in 2009 and has been re-introduced for 2018 with three flights a week from Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol,

http://www.aviator.aero/press_releases/33576?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[jfy1999]

Yep the article says they will fly to Girona.

It also says there will be frequency increases on existing routes "from a number of regional airports". This summer was reworked to squeeze in 3 new destinations while keeping 4 based aircraft, so I assume there will be a 5th aircraft added next year?

 

[Paulsstrange]

I would say a 5th based is on the cards unless there are cuts elsewhere...

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'd imagine that we'll see a 5th aircraft if we do see both new routes and frequency increases.

Thessaloniki and Varna are both currently unserved so they would be most welcome.

Keep an eye out for the official announcement tomorrow.

 

[thunderchild]

Always good to see an airline adding something new. Wonder if Jet2 will launch Thessaloniki as well next year?

 

[ethanegcc]

Official Announcement from Thomas Cook:
Girona, Hurghada, Paphos, Preveza (1x week)
Corfu, Heraklion (2x week)
Lanzarote (3x week)

http://thomascookairlinesuk-newsroo...new-own-brand-hotels-for-summer-2018-on-sale/

Great to see this expansion but unfortunately no Thessaloniki or Varna (it does mention them further down in the same way yesterday's article does but no mention in the new routes table).

Just looked on TCX Holidays website and Lanzarote only seems to be twice-weekly although still updating

 

[nwoody2001]

oh wow, how wrong that press release could be from Aviator be!!!!!

However 7x new routes and 11x weekly additional flights per week is pretty impressive!

I suppose what we need to know is how does the current timetable compare to this summer... is this expansion and a new 5th based aircraft or are other routes getting the chop?

 

[Karl C]

Except the article further down does say Thessaloniki and Varna from BHX....go figure!

Cheers

Karl

 

[Ray Finkle]

If you type in Olympus Riviera, Thessaloniki, Greece before selecting a UK airport only MAN and BHX then become available and neither are bookable as yet.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Someone has got that press release seriously wrong.

Corfu, Lanzarote, Heraklion, Paphos and Hurghada are not new routes, they are all currently available and have been for some time. I haven't checked yet but I assume that list is of the increases.

Girona will be a return for Thomas Cook and Preveza will be new for them (joining Monarch and Flybe on the route).

As said Thessaloniki is showing BHX when put into the website so that one will be a wait and see.

One thing I am very happy about is that Comiso returns May to mid October. As Birmingham is the only airport with that route I thought it may be a one off season, great to see that it's performed well enough to return

 

[thunderchild]

Not very professional when you read it - several destinations are spelt wrong!

 

[Ray Finkle]

It's shockingly bad, probably one of the worst I have ever seen.

How can these be 'new' routes?

Hurghada - Weekly this summer (Sat) currently showing 2x weekly for 2018 (Sat and Wed). Press release mentions Mon?
Paphos - Tue & Fri this year, showing Tue & Fri next year? How is the Fri flight new?
Lanzarote - Mon & Thur this year, showing Mon & Thur next year? Assuming Sun to be added?
Corfu - Thur & Sun this year, showing Thur and Sun next year? Press release says new route Thur and Sun???
Heraklion - Wed, Fri & Sat this year, showing Tue and Fri next year? It's actually a reduction (if complete) so how did it make the new routes page???

It's clear that it's far from complete, Girona and Preveza aren't bookable at the moment and I've already mentioned Thessaloniki.

It's probably worth checking back some time next week, hopefully things will be clearer.

 

[jfy1999]

I found the flight times for Thessaloniki in the Holidays section, 1 weekly:

Sunday
BHX 06:45 SKG 12:05
SKG 13:05 BHX 14:40