Bristol: TUI Airways Route News & Base Updates

[alphagolf]

I haven't checked but on the assumption that this is so it would involve additional seats even if the 2 x 757s currently based are replaced by 3 x 738s, provided of course the three aircraft are fully utilised.

I have taken a quick look and from what I can see, 4 days a week three aircraft are required for the early morning departures. I haven't gone through the full schedule, but I would expect it would be three for the whole week, not heard anything about long-haul so can't comment on that one.

alphagolf

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I have taken a quick look and from what I can see, 4 days a week three aircraft are required for the early morning departures. I haven't gone through the full schedule, but I would expect it would be three for the whole week, not heard anything about long-haul so can't comment on that one.

There's a bit of a discussion about this going on this evening on 😛lums:.

One poster who has been well up with BRS news in the past says he's heard there will be three based TOM aircraft next summer but that long haul will cease after this year, whereas another poster (not a BRS thread regular) insists there will be two TOM 737s in summer 2014 though does concede a third party aircraft might be leased.

It would be back to the heady days of Excel/XL when there was a company B 738 and an Air Malta A320 based for two or three summers.

 

[Aviador]

Not great news but the long haul charter business has changed enormously over the last few years. Many smaller regional airports have lost their niche markets to the like of Orlando, Cancun and Toronto. Like the customers they serve, airlines have had to tighten their purse strings and with higher fuel costs and the cost of maintaining larger aircraft will inevitably lead to the loss of some long haul routes from smaller airports. It seems to be becoming more and more likely the Dreamliner is going to stay a dream for many regional airports for the foreseeable future.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Not great news but the long haul charter business has changed enormously over the last few years. Many smaller regional airports have lost their niche markets to the like of Orlando, Cancun and Toronto. Like the customers they serve, airlines have had to tighten their purse strings and with higher fuel costs and the cost of maintaining larger aircraft will inevitably lead to the loss of some long haul routes from smaller airports. It seems to be becoming more and more likely the Dreamliner is going to stay a dream for many regional airports for the foreseeable future.

Thomson has confirmed it is to axe its Bristol to Sanford and Cancun routes from summer 2014. The linked report (see below) suggests it's 'due to reasons including a change in fleet'.

http://www.traveldailymedia.com/152747/ ... om-bristol

That could be read to mean that the change to the B787 is the reason which, if so, is supremely ironic because BRS has been waiting for such an aircraft to remove some of the difficulties of its short (2011 metre) runway. The airport was initially told by Boeing the 787 would have a range of over 9,000 kilometres from the BRS runway and in 2010 the airport was included in the list of airports that would use the TOM 787s in an announcement by the Thomson MD, Chris Browne.

Last winter the airport sought a number of non-material amendments to its infrastructure planning approvals including one relating to the 787 because, it said, the previously indicated seating capacity of 260 would be likely to rise to 290-310 on the type likely to operate from the airport.

This must mean the the aircraft would be heavier which presumably would reduce the previously-indicated performance from the BRS runway.

It was known the aircraft could not use the full length parallel taxiway because its wing tips would overhang the airport boundary fence but this was to be addressed by the use of runway turning circles to permit backtracking.

It might be of course a purely commercial decision on the routes in question because there would be more seats to fill than in the TOM 767s that will operate the routes again during this coming summer.

I take your point about regional airports but I note that EMA and NCL (both with noticeably fewer annual passengers overall than BRS) will have TOM l-h routes in summer 2014 so it's not a complete abandonment of the smaller airports, although I don't know whether NCL will feature the 787 in 2014.

In a sense it would be better for the decision to be commercially based rather than operational because it would pose a serious question on long-haul generally at BRS if the 800 series 787 was unable to meet the previously anticipated route performance from the airport's runway.

 

[Aviador]

And to make matters worse for Bristol, the other new aircraft that was said to be suitable for shorter runway operations the A350 is also unlikely to make an appearance anytime soon. The majority of airlines showing interest or purchasing the aircraft have so far opted for the larger variant which again is likely to be too large or heavy for short runway operations.

 

[big g]

Ok so the interesting part about the long haul finishing is the BRS based TOM engineers are beginning 787 training soon, so it makes me wonder if TOM will be returning in 2015 with the 787!

I read on the dried plumb that the only stand's that can accommodate the 767 is stand 26, but 26,29 & 33 are all designed for the 767.

There were a large group of contractors gathered around stand 4/5 last week, so I guess they were looking at the future walkway expansion with the air bidge.

With regards to the 757's leaving it has been confirmed that summer 14 will have 3 based 738's operating, with the 75's leaving there will be a drop in seats on each route but over all a seat increase.

 

[Marko1]

Just been looking on the thomson website and it appears that many of the planned services dor summer 2014 appear to be dropped including the new ones to marrakech and kavala. Any ideas what is going on?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Just been looking on the thomson website and it appears that many of the planned services dor summer 2014 appear to be dropped including the new ones to marrakech and kavala. Any ideas what is going on?

Hello Marko1, welcome to the forum and apologies for the delay in responding to your post.

It does seem that some of the advertised new flights for summer 2014 may not be operating after all, although this summer saw at least one relatively late addition (JetAirFly to Palma on Sundays)and one aircraft change to a non-TUI aircraft (Mistral Air to Verona on Saturdays), so it may be that the TOM programme for next summer is still a work in progress.

As a matter of record this is the current TOM/TUI programme for summer 2013, all operated by the two based B 757s unless indicated.

Mondays

Mahon 0600-1145
Naples 0700-1345
Dalaman 1305-2235
Bodrum 1515-0025

Tuesdays

Palma 0600-1150
Alicante 0700-1255
Sharm 1355-0205
Zante 1425-2230

Wednesdays

Paphos 0700-1740
F'ventura 0730-1630
Rhodes 1755-0310
Ibiza 1910-0055

Thursdays

Palma 0600-1145
Kefalonia 0615-1410
Heraklion 1315-2220
Dalaman 1555-0125

Fridays

Tenerife 0700-1605
Mahon 0800-1345
Naples 1250-1425 (operated by a non-based TOM B 738)
Corfu 1500-2230
Antalya 1735-0325
Palma 2340-0530

Saturdays

Reus 0600-1105
Palma 0805-1350
Verona 0950-1030 (operated by a Mistral Air B 734)
Ibiza 1315-1900
Las Palmas 1535-0035
Dalaman 2045-0615

Sundays

Enfidha 0630-1345
Malaga 0835-1455
Arrecife 1515-0000
Larnaca 1625-0310
Palma 1835-1930 (operated by a JetAirFly B 738)

Palma 4 (+ 1 non-based), Dalaman 3, Mahon 2, Ibiza 2, Naples 1 (+ 1 non-based), Bodrum 1, Antalya 1, Sharm 1, Zante 1, Kefalonia 1, Heraklion 1, Rhodes 1, Corfu 1, Paphos 1, Larnaca 1, Fuerteventura 1, Las Palmas 1, Tenerife 1, Arrecife 1, Alicante 1, Malaga 1, Reus 1, Enfidha 1, Verona (non-based).

That's a total of 30 operated by the based units plus three by non-based. In addition Sanford and Cancun are operated by TOM B 767s weekly for much of the summer, although these flights have been axed for summer 2014.

The above programme is much the same as in recent summers. If anyone has copied the current programme for summer 2014 a comparison can be made.

if not, I'll try to look at summer 2014 over the next few days.

 

[Marko1]

I have had a brief look at the july editions just released today and it appears that many of the frequency increases that appeared in the april edition remain. However they are not bookable. So is it work in progress or is the brochure information not to be relied upon?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I have had a brief look at the july editions just released today and it appears that many of the frequency increases that appeared in the april edition remain. However they are not bookable. So is it work in progress or is the brochure information not to be relied upon?

I very much doubt that this is the final programme. Most tour companies will make changes from this distance out before the season commences, whether adding or removing some routes.

I've had a look at the TOM line-up from BRS in summer 2014 now and this is the situation so far.

Mondays

Mahon 0600-1145
Naples 0700-1345
Dalaman 1300-2230
Burgas 1515-2335

Tuesdays

Palma 0600-1150
Alicante 0700-1255
Kos 1330-2250
Zante 1425-2230

Wednesdays

Paphos 0700-1740
F'ventura 0730-1630
Enfidha 1755-0105

Thursdays

Ibiza 0600-1145
Kefalonia 0615-1410
Heraklion 1315-2220
Dalaman 1555-0125

Fridays

Tenerife 0700-1605
Naples 0700-1345
Corfu 1500-2230
Antalya 1735-0325
Palma 2340-0530

Saturdays

Reus 0600-1105
Palma 0805-1350
Verona 0950-1030 (operated by a Mistral Air B 734)
Ibiza 1315-1900
Las Palmas 1535-0035
Palma 2030-0215

Sundays

Malaga 0625-1235
Enfidha 0630-1345
Sharm 1355-0205
Larnaca 1515-0200

There are currently 29 weekly flights next summer operated by based units, one fewer than this year. There is one non-based unit next year (the Mistral Air to Verona on Saturdays although this has probably been put in at the moment because of this summer and the carrier might not necessarily be Mistral when the time comes).

So given that this summer sees 30 based-unit flights and three non-based, next summer's 29 + 1 will see an overall reduction of three at the moment. The weekly flights to Cancun and Sanford won't operate next summer either so it's really five down on this summer.

Specific alterations from 2013 are: Palma reduced from 5 to 4 because at the moment the Sunday JetairFly is not shown in 2014 although it was a latish addition for this summer so that could change next summer; Dalaman is down from 3 to 2; Mahon is down from 2 to 1; there are no Rhodes, Arrecife or Bodrum, although TOM is advertising holidays with TCX on some of these as it is with other routes that it also operates itself. I haven't mentioned the likes of the Weekly KM Malta flight on which TOM takes some seats.

New for summer 2014 are a Kos, a Burgas and an extra Enfidha (2 up from 1).

As things stand next summer will see 5 weekly Enfidha from BRS (2 TOM and 3 TCX) although this summer's TCX Burgas seems to be non-operational next summer with TCX taking seats on TOM's new Burgas route.

Both Naples will be operated by based units in summer 2014 - this summer the Friday one was a non-based TOM 738.

Marrakech and Kavala appear to have been ditched but, as I said earlier, I don't expect this to be the final programme - there is a glaring gap on Wednesdays for starters.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Further to my previous post, although BRS-Marrakech fails to appear on TOM's web flight timetable for summer 2014 the destination still appears on the Thomson holiday pages with a test booking this evening showing a Monday flight leaving at 1610 and returning 2355. The carrier is shown as tba but flight numbers are listed, viz 2524 outbound and 2574 inbound.

Of the other two new-for-summer-2014 destinations announced several weeks ago Kos (new for TOM that is, not for the airport) is definitely shown as operating but Thassos (Kavala Airport) doesn't feature in the web timetable or on the Thomson holiday pages.

Opinion now seems to be veering towards BRS retaining the two B 757s for summer 2014 rather than downsizing to two (or three as was originally thought necessary) B 738s.

 

[Marko1]

It appears that some of the schedules for summer 2014 are changing. Lanzarote now appears as a tom on sunday am with enfidha changing to a tom on a w pattern. Also zante on a friday now appears as tom with corfu operating as a tba. So far marrakech one palma and a rhodes remain as tba

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks Marko.

I seem to recall that Lanzarote was dropped for summer 2014 in the original list.

In summer 2013 one of the Thomson Palmas was operated by a JetAirFly B 738 (Sunday evenings).

I wonder if easyJet's decision to commence Marrakech will cause TOM to rethink their own plans for the route.

 

[Marko1]

Some further changes i noticed tonight for summer 2014. Marrakech has gone thursdays pslma is operated by a based tom while ibiza becomes a w pattern. Only fridays corfu and wednesdays rhodes to be confimed now

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Not directly related to Bristol Airport but important enough to it for the airport to issue this press release, although it doesn't appear to say where in the city the store is actually located.

Addendum

It's located in the Broadmead shopping centre in the street actually called Broadmead.

[textarea]Thomson opens third concept store in Bristol

Bristol is the location for a third Thomson next generation ‘holiday design store’ following openings in Bluewater Shopping Centre and in Liverpool last month.

The Bristol branch covers more than 850 square feet and features cutting edge technology such as an 84-inch touch screen interactive map for holiday researching.

Social media feeds will be streamed onto screens in the store to educate and inform customers and give them a feel of what to expect from their holiday before they book.

The store is zoned so people can browse on their own devices or with staff in the pool area, self-serve on a computer where staff will be on hand to answer questions or have a more personalised experience in booths where relevant holiday images and video content will be projected on the wall.

The modern look and feel is enhanced with high definition screens and projections featuring changing images and videos. Here customers can view top ten lists and live weather information, read reviews and view videos of destinations.

Tui UK and Ireland retail director Kathryn Ward said: “The opening of our third holiday design store is very exciting for the business and demonstrates our commitment to developing the next generation of our retail network.

“Our first two stores at Bluewater Shopping Centre and in Liverpool have proved to be a huge success and it’s great to be able to offer this unique service to our customers in the Bristol area.

“We’re combining the knowledge and expertise of our people with a range of technology that will really bring choosing and booking a holiday to life and we’re looking forward to welcoming our customers to the store.”

Lord Mayor Faruk Choudhury officially opened the store alongside Thomson head of sales Jill Carter, shop manager Leanne Farmer and Bristol airport aviation director Shaun Browne.[/textarea]
http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... store.aspx

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Thomson Cruises reveals new home ports and two ship revamps

Dubrovnik is to be the new home port for Thomson Cruises in 2015 as part of an expanded programme including 28 new destinations, including Albania.

Thomson Celebration will be based in the Croatian port running four new itineraries from May2015 ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................New regional airports are being added to serve the Dubrovnik sailings, giving 50,000 seats across the summer from Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol, as well as Birmingham, Manchester and Gatwick.[/textarea]
Full article at: http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/ ... vamps.html

So it looks as though Dubrovnik will be back on the BRS departure boards after an absence of over 20 years. I suggested Dubrovnik as a possible new route for easyJet (albeit probably only at summer weekends) in a discussion over the weekend in that airline's thread in the BRS forum.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Summer 2015

I believe that TOM's programme will be announced later this week.

I wonder if Cancun and Sanford will be restored after being axed this summer apparently because the former First Choice Boeing 767s (the ones with 258 seats) that were used on these routes are being phased out well before the current summer ends.

If there are to be transatlantic charters from TOM again it seems that the aircraft will the B 787.

I suppose TOM has three options re the Severnside region:

* operate from BRS
* operate from CWL
* operate from neither and try to funnel passengers through the likes of BHX and lGW

The coming week ought to provide a big clue as to the intentions. I can't see TOM operating these routes from both BRS and CWL although that did happen to an extent before First Choice became part of Tui.

 

[alphagolf]

Summer 2015


I suppose TOM has three options re the Severnside region:

* operate from BRS
* operate from CWL
* operate from neither and try to funnel passengers through the likes of BHX and LGW

TheLocalYokel, I have a suspicion that it will be the latter as I tweeted to Thomson a question about whether they would be flying the B787 from BRS in 2015.

Their response was as follows:

We've not got any plans to fly the Dreamliner from Bristol at the moment, London Gatwick is your closest, we will certainly pass on your feedback to our Flight Team

So unless they want to keep it under wraps until Thursday 24th April when they release the Summer 2015 programme, doubtful when they have already announced Dubrovnik as a new destination, which looks as though it will be a weekly flight throughout the Summer.

Disappointing if they don't come back in 2015, but lets hope they will be back in 2016.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Thank you alphagolf.

It seems odd that they push LGW for their long haul for BRS-area customers when BHX is closer and easier to get to.

In April last year Ray Finkle posted this in the BHX TOM forum.

On the Thomson Faraway Shores online brochure BHX-Montego Bay (Fri) and BHX Cancun (Sat) are scheduled to be on the 787 from 18th July 2014, May and June is still down for the 763. At the moment Orlando remains as a 763.

So it looks as though it would be possible to fly on the 787 from BHX to Mexico this summer.

I don't know if you asked about CWL as well but the reply you got only mentions BRS not featuring the 787 at the moment.

Unless there are still operational reasons that prevent the 787 from using BRS, although comments from some posters on this forum and on other aviation web forums who appear to have a working knowledge of BRS suggest this is no longer so, it seems strange given the remarks of Chris Browne, the Thomson MD, in 2010 when she said that BRS would be amongst the first UK airports to feature the Dreamliner.

On a more general note, I wonder if BRS will have its two 757s in summer 2015. There was a thought about this time last year that summer 2014 would see three 738s instead. It's to be hoped that they don't downsize to two 738s or even one 757 and one 738 next summer.

 

[alphagolf]

Hi TheLocalYokel,

I have messaged Thomson again on Twitter this evening with the following question:-

Can you confirm that if I want to fly with you to Florida in 2015 my nearest airports will be LGW/BHX, no Wales & West airports :sad:

The reply as follows:

We won't know our availability until our Summer 2015 holidays go on sale later this week. Dan

The morale of this is we won't really know until Thursday as it seems I get a different answer each time.