Birmingham: TUI Airways Flights, New Routes & Base Updates

[Ray Finkle]

I see Thomson are up to their old tricks of announcing new routes then taking them off sale a few weeks later. I don't know if it's just me but I can't find anything to Almeria for next year?

It looks as though we'll be stuck with just Thomas Cook on the route again, unless Monarch see some potential.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I see Thomson are up to their old tricks of announcing new routes then taking them off sale a few weeks later. I don't know if it's just me but I can't find anything to Almeria for next year?

It looks as though we'll be stuck with just Thomas Cook on the route again, unless Monarch see some potential.

Not just at BHX either. I've noticed this move at BRS for example in the past. Can they tell in a few weeks of booking availability and nearly a year away from when the route is due to begin whether it is a dud?

 

[Paulsstrange]

I see Thomson are up to their old tricks of announcing new routes then taking them off sale a few weeks later. I don't know if it's just me but I can't find anything to Almeria for next year?

It looks as though we'll be stuck with just Thomas Cook on the route again, unless Monarch see some potential.

Hi Ray there was suggestion we may have enough extra flights next year to serve a 7th based short haul however if flights start disappearing I'm guessing it will stay at 6 based with some away based flights

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've not had a look at the rest but Almeria was only weekly, so not really a huge loss. I guess it's too early to tell how many based there will be next year as Thomson do seem to change a fair bit.

Not just at BHX either. I've noticed this move at BRS for example in the past. Can they tell in a few weeks of booking availability and nearly a year away from when the route is due to begin whether it is a dud?

We've had Agadir added over the last couple of years then taken away a few weeks later. Alghero also saw the same, although it's still bookable.......for now.

I could understand if you get to mid winter and bookings are still disastrously low but I don't see how you can judge a route in this way?

Maybe they just like the initial publicity?

 

[juliet-fox-9]

Just noticed something very interesting on the Thomson timetable for next year. PMI is showing as 2x daily on Wednesday this summer, but S17 is showing as 3x daily departures on Wednesday – the only day with no long haul flight.

Seems we may have an extra flight to PMI. Could the 787 be operating it?

 

[Ray Finkle]

When I do a dummy booking on the 'flights' section of the Thomson website I'm only seeing two flights on a Wednesday?

This is what it's showing.

Sunday 1 flight showing as Evelop.
Monday 2 flights both TOM codes.
Tuesday 1 flights TOM code.
Wednesday 2 flights both TOM codes.
Thursday 2 flights both TBA.
Friday 1 flight TBA.
Saturday 2 flights both TBA.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just had a look at the timetable section and it shows 06:25 and 17:55 departures, which are bookable, then it also lists a 21:55 departure which is not currently bookable.

Possibly a reserve slot should the route sell well? Historically the Thomson timetable hasn't been the most reliable but all the other flights look to match up.

 

[Matt995]

Ray, the 3rd Thomson flight departing at 21:55 is fully bookable, maybe its just a high season flight (July to September?), using their website you need to do a dummy booking on a wednesday, returning on a Thursday.

All wednesday Palma flights are showing on B738 or B75W aircraft, no B787 flights!

 

[User001]

Thomson to run a one off flight to Aqaba in Jordan on 6th Decemeber to connect onto the Thomson Celebration.

 

[juliet-fox-9]

Do we know what aircraft will be used?

 

[JENNYJET]

Depending upon passenger manifest for the purpose of the flight, it could be B737, upwards to B7xx, TUI can be surprising at times.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Looks like Thomson W17/18 will see 2 788's based at BHX

If true this should continue into S18

More good news !

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hopefully we'll finally get Cuba.

 

[Paulsstrange]

...and dare I suggest more to Orlando ?

 

[ronnoc1k8]

This may be a bit of a longshot, but maybe Phuket?

 

[ethanegcc]

Great TOM is showing growth at BHX long haul wise. I would suggest Cuba, Puerto Vallarta (if BHX hasn't got it already) as it seems to have been doing well from MAN?

I doubt Phuket to begin with as they are only launching from MAN this winter fortnightly so seem very cautious in testing out the market and seeing how it goes.

 

[Ray Finkle]

This may be a bit of a longshot, but maybe Phuket?

It would be nice.

From the way Thomson have spoken it seems as if Dubai has been a success so I'd assume that it will be back next winter. There is also a possibility of an increased cruise programme with more flights to the likes of New Orleans and Aqaba should they be popular this winter.

Assuming that the second 787 is based all week there should still be room for a new route of two. For me the most likely are Cuba (please!), Puerto Plata (PUJ is doing very well) or possibly a fortnightly Aruba alternating with another destination preferably a new one but it could be extra Barbados or Montego Bay.

 

[JENNYJET]

I would be delighted if Thomson/TUI offered Mombasa or the long haul ski routes provided the relevant airlines have the B787, A330 or A340 and indeed A350 to manage a nonstop. I had mentioned Delta ( if and when they cross the threshold ) could be persuaded to offer a seasonal Denver in addition to Atlanta.

Cuba would I feel, be a total sellout from inaugural to final seasonal operation and prevent our precious and discerning Midlanders from the ordeal of getting to the London stables and the costs involved could be spent in resort.

The key of course is availability of suitable aircraft for a season to operate to passenger satisfaction.

We already have Mexico, Carribean and Florida but BHX really needs to spread out to destinations more interesting and to those places that consumers wish to travel without the London ordeal.

BHX should not need to compete with MAN, EMA, LHR, STN or LGW. BHX can forge it's own identity with it's own portfolio of airlines and routes to keep both business and leisure passengers happy to use possibly the nicest regional airport in the UK.

Every person that goes to Manchester or London is lost earnings for Birmingham and that is avoidable if there was some 'oomph' within airport management to get things moving along in all markets.

The potential for growing the airport exists but is the will to maximise that potential out there?

END OF RANT.

 

[Brum X]

And how about Orlando operating all year round and not just during the summer season ?? Also they may put a 787 onto some of the canary islands routes such as TFS/LPA as these are getting more and more popular again due to no Tunisia/Egypt. Although Egypt could come back for W17/18.

 

[thunderchild]

Looks like Thomson W17/18 will see 2 788's based at BHX

If true this should continue into S18

More good news !

Interesting to see what happens as I'd have thought if TOM were to base another 787 it would have happened in the summer season rather than winter. Perhaps Aruba might make a comeback? I'd imagine that if it happens there would be some short/medium flying involved as it would basically mean doubling BHX's long haul programme and the only way I see that happening is if EMA's is dropped.