TUI Airways

[User0001]

It was announced but I don't think the flights actually operated. They only operate Aruba 1 weekly from LGW now.

 

[thunderchild]

Just found this;

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-o ... elax-89755

Seems the flight operated fortnightly and alternated with Bridgetown in the 08/09 winter season.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Aruba definitely operated for the 08/09 winter, I thought it operated for the 09/10 winter season also but just checked the CAA pax stats and it seems there was just a one off flight in Dec, for a cruise I imagine.

If memory serves me correctly Thomson flew direct from Birmingham to Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana over the years - Aruba was also served for a time. Cancun used to have a tech stop at MAN but I don't believe this has been the case since the 767s had the winglets installed?

That's how I remember it also.

 

[thunderchild]

Thanks Ray for clarifying! :s_thumbsup

 

[Ray Finkle]

The first Thomson 787 is due to position in from Glasgow this Thursday (17th) due at midday, it will night stop before operating it's first flight to Jamaica at 11:15 on Friday morning.

All subject to change/delay of course.

 

[Ray Finkle]

At Birmingham, Thomson and First Choice will add over 37,000 additional seats as it launches five new routes and expands capacity in existing markets. The tour operators will add new routes to Agadir, Morocco; Chania, Greece; Djerba, Tunisia plus Porto Santo and Sal in Cape Verde. The plans for summer 2015 also include the addition of further weekly flights for existing routes to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kefalonia, Greece; Antalya, Turkey and Paphos, Cyprus bringing the total destinations on offer from Birmingham Airport to 46.

“Thomson is our largest tour operator so we’re extremely pleased to see it expanding its programme further from Birmingham in 2015. These five new routes and extra capacity on popular sun destinations is great news for travellers as it means more choice and availability for those wanting to fly from Birmingham with this leading airline,” said William Pearson, aviation development director, Birmingham Airport.

http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/bre ... -schedule/

 

[Brum X]

Just heard on another forum that Thomson are considering expanding there BHX operations and basing a 787 all week at the airport. This will be an interesting one to watch ????

Maybe at last Orlando is set for an increase from x1 weekly ????


Apparently they are waiting for more new aircraft to arrive.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The next Thomson 787 G-TUIG, if on time, is due in February but with the 767 leaving I believe there may be some short haul flying for the 787 to do next year.

There has been rumblings that the long haul IT programme may be in line for an increase, I've heard both Thomson and Thomas Cook mentioned. I'm not sure Thomson will have the aircraft to do it for a while, unless they swap some around within the TUI group and Thomas Cook had a dabble with the Easter Florida flights, which sold out, but are yet to confirm anything.

It's a case of watch this space.

 

[thunderchild]

I've heard both Thomson and Thomas Cook mentioned

I'm 99.9% sure it means nothing but if you scroll down the list of Thomas Cook ex BHX you'll see that Orlando is still listed but also "USA" has appeared.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Is that new, I must admit I've never noticed it before? I think Orlando has remained on the list since the Easter flights but nothing has been bookable.

I do hope we get something, an increase to Orlando is well overdue and I think it's about time we got a seasonal Cuba and Las Vegas. Dominican Republic is also a big miss since it went and it would be nice to see a return of Goa.

 

[thunderchild]

Next summer Thomson appear to be basing a 787 at BHX all week and it will be operating some short haul flights in between the long haul programme.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good news. Just had a quick look and some of the Air Europa flights have now got a TOM code aswell as the Sunday morning Palma flight that had the German Tuifly 738's last year.

 

[thunderchild]

Will be good to see TOM operating a wide body on short haul again; I'd guess at Palma, Ibiza, Alicante, Tenerife and Dalaman being the likely routes served.

 

[Ray Finkle]

A couple of changes as some of the extra flights added are now disappearing. The extra Dubrovnik has gone clearing a path for the Sunday morning Palma to be switched from TUI, also the Tuesday Antalya which was to be operated by Onur Air has now gone with Thomson selling seats on Thomas Cook instead. I guess alot could change in the next 3 months or so, if there is a lot of bookings in the new year for instance, and of course if the rumours of the 787 being based all week are true then it would make up for the loss of capacity

I've also noticed that Thomas Cook are selling long haul packages from BHX to Florida, Jamaica, Barbados and Mexico using the Thomson flights so I guess that's any chance of them starting their own in the near future now gone.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The Thomson website is showing another increase in long haul for 2015/16, Cancun stays at 2x weekly on Monday's and Thursday's, Montego Bay goes up to 2x weekly on Tuesday's and Wednesday's and Orlando remains at weekly on Sundays then switches to Barbados. With Friday and Saturday seeing the cruise flights there should be a 787 at BHX all week

 

[Brum X]

All these increases definately make a difference.

So does that mean BHX has Orlando all winter for 2015/2016 ?????

 

[Ray Finkle]

Sadly not it switches to Barbados at the end of the summer timetable but Cancun was only weekly last winter so it's another increase.

Orlando is a particular annoyance of mine mainly because I know of so many people over the years who have travelled elsewhere because BHX was either full or the day it operated didn't suit. A close friend of mine takes his family to Florida every year and up until recently he has travelled to LGW and stayed over the night before, he now generally uses United via EWR. After their Easter flight sold out I'd hoped Thomas Cook may have had a go.

As said, all these little increases help and barring a complete catastrophe I reckon 10mppa is looking very likely

 

[Brum X]

Sadly not it switches to Barbados at the end of the summer timetable but Cancun was only weekly last winter so it's another increase.

Orlando is a particular annoyance of mine mainly because I know of so many people over the years who have travelled elsewhere because BHX was either full or the day it operated didn't suit. A close friend of mine takes his family to Florida every year and up until recently he has travelled to LGW and stayed over the night before, he now generally uses United via EWR. After their Easter flight sold out I'd hoped Thomas Cook may have had a go.

As said, all these little increases help and barring a complete catastrophe I reckon 10mppa is looking very likely

Have you told your friend about AA via JFK and i believe Icelandair will go to MCO next year rather than Sanford.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Very good point, next time we meet for a drink AA and FI will definitely be mentioned :good:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just had a look at flights and Jamaica is back to once weekly (Wed) for winter 15/16, the extra Tuesday flight is no longer showing. Cancun remains at 2x weekly (Mon & Thur), Orlando is still once weekly (Thur) then changes to a Sunday until mid November when Barbados takes over weekly (Sun). There are also the cruise flights on a Friday and Saturday.