Thomas Cook

[Brum X]

Good to see extra capacity on Malta and a new route to Naples.

Interesting to see Spain having a comeback after the events in other parts of Europe/North Africa.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Good to see extra capacity on Malta and a new route to Naples.

Interesting to see Spain having a comeback after the events in other parts of Europe/North Africa.

You're just a cynic BrumX

 

[Ray Finkle]

So after a very long period of stagnation we've now gone from 3 to 5 based in 2 years.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Thomas Cook have a one off Orlando flight available for next year, out on 21st May returning on 4th June. Don't get too excited as we had something similar about three years ago.

Odd timings though given that the kids are only off for a week whereas there is only the option for two weeks.

 

[nwoody2001]

very bizarre.... but shows that they know there is demand not being met... makes you wonder!

 

[Brum X]

Very Bizarre indeed.

But why do this in May but not during the main Birmingham summer holidays ??? (July/August)

At least give us some one off flights around this time of the year as well.

But as we say, every little helps.

 

[JENNYJET]

Thomas Cook have a one off Orlando flight available for next year, out on 21st May returning on 4th June. Don't get too excited as we had something similar about three years ago.

Odd timings though given that the kids are only off for a week whereas there is only the option for two weeks.

A chess piece without a square to sit upon? Or the usual test the market job!

 

[Ray Finkle]

In 2013 (or was it 2012?) Thomas Cook did a one off Orlando package, this was done over the Easter holidays so it made sense as the schools were off for two weeks.

Many speculated at the time that it was a market test and if it did well it could lead to something permanent. As it was they sold out every seat, both ways, yet it lead to nothing.

Why it's back next year and why at that time I have no idea but I'm not reading anything into it.

 

[JENNYJET]

New aircraft delivery perhaps?

 

[Brum X]

However I would have thought Thomas cook have had enough time to test the BHX market, for example how many people book with a Thomas Cook travel agent in the Birmingham area and travel to Orlando ex MAN ??? That would give them all the info they need.
To me it seems that TCX just have a spare A330/767 on these days and cant think of anywhere else to put it.

 

[nwoody2001]

but to me just because they have a spare aircraft, it doesn't make sense to move it to another airport for a one off service. TCX wont have A330/767 crew based at BHX so they would have to come with the plane. Surely if they had a plane spare for a week, surely it just makes sense to offer an additional rotation on a route already served from that airport, rather than move the plan to an airport it doesn't normally use on a route that otherwise wouldn't exist!!!???

I don't know they actual reason, but an aircraft going spare for a week doesn't make sense!

 

[Ray Finkle]

I can't see it being a spare aircraft either, it wouldn't make sense having the costs of positioning it in when it could do something from an existing base. The flight is also on a Sunday in May with the return flight in the school holidays, that's peak time so couldn't see anything being spare.

Would Thomas Cook need a market test? They're already one of the UK's most established and recognisable brands. Orlando is also one of the most popular holiday destinations so I couldn't see TCX having any problems selling holidays?

It's happened before, albeit at Easter and it sold out. We'll see if this one does.

 

[DaveBham]

I'd just love it if Norwegian or someone marched in, and rather than fannying about like TCX, set up regular flights and was a rip roaring success (which I think it would be).
Fair enough if it was some unchartered territory, but Florida? A year round long haul sun route? Hardly the biggest gamble...

 

[User001]

But the question has to be asked, if the route was not in any way a big gamble, then why has Thomson almost refused to expand their offering (it's worth noting that I've had a look at the offering from Thomson from next year, and even Newcastle gets a 2nd weekly SFB every 2 weeks next summer).

Thomas Cook now offer MCO from BFS/GLA/CWL/LGW/STN and MAN, while only offers these one off flights at BHX. You have to question, why the reluctance?

I can understand why Virgin may not have offered it before now due to MCO being primarily a B744 route and too heavy from the old BHX runway (the A330 could have done it, but, only recently introduced to the VS fleet and once again taken off any Orlando route). With the runway extended, there's hope now.

I have no doubt that a 2nd, even 3rd weekly could work in time, however, if it was this pot of gold its perceived to be, or glaringly obvious increases that's needed, then I can't help feel we would have seen another carrier/extra flight by now. I highly doubt airlines are sitting there and saying 'look at all that potential market we could serve, be a good money maker that, but, I can't be bothered opening that route really'.

Maybe Norwegian and their lower costs are the medicine needed to wake up the potential, but, then again, if such low costs that Norwegian are known for are required to make the route work, signifies what the issue has been all this time.

 

[nwoody2001]

The answer is pretty clear and that with regard to geographic markets surely. In the same way that Easyjet have not opened a base in the entire midlands, yet they operate a few select routes!

The reality is that BHX has been behind the curve in marketing the airport as suitable midland hub, allowing the likes of LON and MAN to establish themselves as the airports to serve long-haul bucket and spade destinations for the midland market. To my mind, the question/argument isn't 'is there demand to support such routes from BHX??' That has been answered hence every flight that operate them are full, the question that TOM/TCX have not resolved appears to be 'is the market big enough to risk diluting established markets out of MAN and LON?' and they appear to think no! BFS/GLA/CWL/LGW/STN and MAN are pretty separate geographic markets with very little cross over (except LGW and STN but London is pretty deferent to the rest)

The reality is that both LON and MAN bases for TOM/TCX have been serving the midlands markets for decades. Consequently, opening/increasing long-haul out of BHX will inevitably dilute established operations, and with no competition to those markets, then why would they change the status quo? No one would seriously suggest that the 3 million peopke in the greater Birmingham region or the xx million in the midlands catchment don't go on holiday to the states like everyone else, they have just got used to travelling to MAN/LON to do so! its works, so for the sake of TOM/TCX, why fix it?

I suspect its no longer an issue of cost, both TOM/TCX have implemented significant short-haul growth out of BHX over the last 2 years, i suspect in response to competition from loco operators, as such this would not be the case is cost was an issue. Constequently I believe its purely market driven, and until a new operate comes on the scene to challenge the dominance/monoply TOM/TCX has had on the long-haul british bucket and spade market, I cant see much changing.

Its therefore no surprise that we at BHX see the potential NAX could bring!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

CWL is very limited with Thomas Cook long haul - one Orlando and one Cancun this summer and two Orlando next summer plus one Cancun, all in May in both years.

 

[DaveBham]

Emirates,Qatar, American,United also have operations out of LHR and MAN, but this hasn't stopped them expanding out of Birmingham - although I see your point.

 

[nwoody2001]

They are a completely different kettle of fish ...I am talking about the what I refer to as the long-haul British bucket and spade market. The holiday package holiday market that has been around since the 70's... In which TOM/TCX completely dominate the British market. The likes of AA/UA/EK/QR Are a world of difference a part and are not related to my post above!

 

[User001]

one does wonder if the issue BHX has is the fact TOM have split ops in the form of EMA/BHX for long haul?

It's the main anomaly in that BHX/EMA seem to be the closest airports together that TOM serve for long haul, with even STN/LGW being further apart than these 2 airports.

I bet BHX would have 2-3 weekly SFB and more if it were not for the EMA base....

 

[Ray Finkle]

Extra Thomas Cook Airlines A320 for Birmingham means five new routes

Thomas Cook Airlines has announced an additional Airbus A320 aircraft will be based at Birmingham Airport in Summer 2017, meaning new routes and increased capacity.

The announcement comes soon after a successful the A320’s successful Summer 2015 programme and the commitment of an extra new A321 for the Winter 16/17 programme

This latest announcement was made to 150 Midlands retail agents who visited the airport to have an hour-long experience flight on one of 25 new A321s that Thomas Cook Airlines now uses. The event, which was organised in conjunction with Birmingham Airport, included competitions for tickets to Gran Canaria and Naples.

Thomas Cook Airlines’ aviation director, James Burrows, said: “We know how popular these destinations are for the huge number of holidaymakers in the catchment area of Birmingham, and we believe that increasing our presence this coming winter and next summer will build our reputation as a quality leisure airline that focuses on its customers and offers great flying to great destinations.

“We’re investing heavily in our aircraft but also in those people on whom we rely to sell our seats. Building our relationship with the retail agent community, in partnership with the airport team, helps us get across how fantastic our new cabins and aircraft are to those experts on whom our customers rely for advice.”

William Pearson, Aviation Development Director at Birmingham Airport, said: “Thomas Cook Airlines is an extremely popular airline with our passengers here in Birmingham, demand for seats is high.

“The announcement of an additional aircraft increasing the based fleet to five during the summer months is great news and shows the airline investing more resources into our airport to meet this growing demand.

“The five new routes, extra seats and additional frequencies during peak seasons is fantastic news as it will give our passengers greater choice and flexibility and will increase the airlines presence here at Birmingham Airport.”

The fleet of five aircraft means the total capacity for the airport on Thomas Cook Airlines will be 2,000 seats per day in Summer 2017.

The key changes in the Winter 2016 and Summer 2017 programme from Birmingham Airport are:

Winter

New Hurghada on Sundays

New Gran Canaria/Las Palmas on Thursday

Increase in frequencies:

Lanzarote – increases from 2 to 3 per week

Banjul / Gambia – increases from 1 to 2 per week

Tenerife – increases from 1 to 4 per week with Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday being added for full season.

Summer

New Naples on Tuesdays

New Faro on Tuesdays

New Malta on Thursdays

Increase in frequency:

Lanzarote increases from 2 to 3 per week

Bourgas increases from 1 to 2 per week

Faro increases from 1 to 2 per week

Fueteventura increases from 2 to 3 per week

Ibiza increases from 1 to 3 per week

Larnaca increases from 3 to 4 per week

Mahon increases from 3 to 4 per week

Paphos increases from 1 to 2 times per week

Zante increases from 5 per week to 6 per week

https://birminghamairport.co.uk/med...es-a320-for-birmingham-means-five-new-routes/