TUI Airways

[Ray Finkle]

Punta Cana back for 2016

 

[nwoody2001]

but at the loss of 3-4 flights per week this summer .....

 

[Ray Finkle]

Agadir was released but is now not bookable, the article however mentions it as a new route for 2016 so I imagine it's been put back a year. New routes also to Sardinia, Izmir and Split.

A new route from Birmingham will connect the midlands to the Dominican Republic with a new direct flight on the Dreamliner.

Four other flights are also being introduced from Birmingham - to Agadir, Morocco; Sardinia, Italy; Izmir, Turkey; and Split, Croatia.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/ ... genda.html

 

[Brum X]

Great to see these new routes from Thomson AND a new Long haul route. :hatsoff:

 

[thunderchild]

Good to see Punta Cana back. I do wonder - and this is no disrespect to EMA - why TOM don't consolidate their Midlands operation back to one airport? They must be making profit but from a logistical point of a view would it be easier to have a long haul crew based at one airport and save they hassle of repositioning aircraft from one base to another? Is EMA x1 Sanford and x1 Cancun now?

One also has to ask what BHX needs to do to get more capacity to Orlando - STN has gone from zero to two carriers now. Perhaps something might just come Norwegian - this is surely a huge market gap?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Well Thomson sell out their long haul flights every year, Thomas Cook dabbled with an Orlando and sold it out, the lack of capacity has even been bought up at consultative committee meetings but still nothing.

It's great to have Dominican Republic back but I think we should wait for the timetable and see if it's in addition or, if in true BHX style, it replaces something else.

This summer we have Cancun 2x weekly and weekly Sanford and Montego Bay, if Punta Cana simply replaces one we're no better off.

 

[nwoody2001]

do we know when the timetables are likely to come out?

 

[Ray Finkle]

S16 should be on sale around the end of the month.

 

[Ray Finkle]

S16 on sale Thursday so we'll see if Punta Cana is new or just a replacement of another long haul flight.

Thomson and First Choice increase capacity from Birmingham Airport and introduce five new routes.

Thomson and First Choice are pleased to announce that in summer 2016 they will be increasing capacity at Birmingham airport through the introduction of additional seats and five new routes to Agadir, Morocco; Sardinia, Italy; Izmir, Turkey; Split, Croatia and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The plans for summer 2016 also include new flexible 10 and 11 night durations to Skiathos, Greece direct from Birmingham.

The move to introduce these routes is part of the UK’s leading holiday company’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the best hotels in some of the most exciting destinations. The new routes go on sale on the 23rd April 2015.

Customers travelling from the airport will also have access to some of Thomson and First Choice’s most popular flagship hotels. These include the brand new for summer 2016 Thomson Sensatori Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and the First Choice Globales Bougarvilla SplashWorld resort in Majorca.

Opening in May 2016, Sensatori Resort Punta Cana is located on the golden sands of Uvero Alto beach, 60 km north of Punta Cana airport. The hotel features an adults-only section, decadent honeymoon suites with Jacuzzis, spacious family suites and eight restaurants. Those flying to Majorca to the new Globales Bougarvilla SplashWorld resort can experience a brand new water park on site and a refurbished hotel with a modern look, manicured gardens for parents to relax in and kamikaze slides to entertain the whole family.

Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning for Thomson and First Choice, said of the move:

“Adding more capacity from the Midlands and the introduction of five brand new routes demonstrates our commitment to Birmingham Airport and the local area, and following the success of similar routes across a number of regional airports, we know that the demand is there.

“Expanding access to our portfolio of destinations and hotels is a key part of our overall strategy and we hope that this move will enhance the holiday experience for our customers.”

William Pearson, Aviation Development Director at Birmingham Airport, added: “This announcement from Thomson and First Choice is a double cause for celebration. Additional capacity and the introduction of five new routes will give passengers flying from Birmingham even more choice and flexibility for summer 2016.

“It’s great to see Thomson and First Choice respond to the enormous passenger demand in the region, as holidaymakers can now access these popular destinations and excellent hotels, such as the Sensatori Resort in Punta Cana, from their local airport.”

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/med ... n-seekers/

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just had a quick look at the timetable, the good news is Dominican Republic is in addition to what we already have, the bad news is Orlando still stays at once weekly.

Cancun 2x weekly Mon and Fri, Orlando weekly on a Thursday, Dominican Republic weekly on a Sat and Jamaica weekly on a Sun.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Following on from above a quick browse of the timetable shows 7 based aircraft for most of the week with some flights on Monarch. One of the aircraft isn't showing as a TOM aircraft (the Wed Ibiza for example) but no idea as to who it will be yet. Air Malta are used on a Tuesday again and TCX to Djerba.

Alghero (Sardinia) is on a Saturday and Split on a Friday. Skiathos goes to 2x weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays but Agadir is still not bookable :s_dunno

Still plenty of time for change and no doubt it will.

 

[Brum X]

Good to see the Dominican Republic is an extra long haul route from BHX, still frustrating that Orlando is still x 1 weekly.

Also Thomas Cook have not replied to my email Re: Orlando ex BHX.



Maybe we will still have a surprise announcement about extra Orlando flights, there is still plenty of time for more routes to be announced for S16

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yeah I suppose we should be happy that the extra Cancun rotation we have gained this year hasn't been dropped for Punta Cana, it's slightly disappointing though.

Apparently Thomas Cook will have S16 on sale a week today, I'd cross all my fingers and toes if it meant more capacity to Florida but sadly I think their priorities lie elsewhere.

 

[jfy1999]

The Thomson timetable (I accessed through Wikipedia) has Agadir starting on May 2, 2016.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It's still not bookable on the Thomson website through flights or holidays :s_dunno

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've just received the BHX newsletter which is all about Thomson. Agadir is mentioned as new for S16 and checking the TOM timetable it operates weekly on a Mon as TOM672/673.

It's still not bookable though.

 

[jfy1999]

A few questions about TOM's operations here.
Wiki has Sofia on Thomson's BHX destination list. I did see one flight on FR24 about a month ago, is Sofia a winter only rotation as I haven't seen any flights there since?
Are TUIfly returning this summer?
Is the 787 still on for some of BHX's short haul routes?
Lastly, the 767-300s seem to be returning to MAN (G-OBYE, G-OBYF, G-OBYG and G-OBYH) after I had previously heard talk of them leaving the fleet, so what is the situation there?

 

[Brummiegem]

A few questions about TOM's operations here.
Wiki has Sofia on Thomson's BHX destination list. I did see one flight on FR24 about a month ago, is Sofia a winter only rotation as I haven't seen any flights there since?
Are TUIfly returning this summer?
Is the 787 still on for some of BHX's short haul routes?
Lastly, the 767-300s seem to be returning to MAN (G-OBYE, G-OBYF, G-OBYG and G-OBYH) after I had previously heard talk of them leaving the fleet, so what is the situation there?

I'll try and answer your questions.
Sofia is usually a winter destination,primarily for skiers.
I don't think TUIfly are returning this year as those flights to Palma are being operated by TOM,although I am not 100% sure on that.
I am not aware of any s/h flights by B787 and as for the 767s some are being retained mainly for some s/h flights from MAN and LGW,although we may see 1 or 2 in the busy peak season on busy routes such as ALC,PMI or TFS for instance.
Depending on lease agreements the 767s will gradually disappear,although I don't know the time frame of the withdrawal .
hope that is of help. :good:

 

[Brummiegem]

I should also add to the above post that a B767 may also be used In place of an unserviceable B787 from time to time,depending on availability of other 787s or 767s.
Which leads to my own question.How many more 787s are due for TOM over the next couple of years?

 

[Ray Finkle]

G-TUIH is now showing as 'due for delivery' and G-TUII is showing as due at the end of May.

I believe that is it for the 787's?