Charters Winter 2010/11

[WYIA]

Its Thomson Airways not airlines & from what i hear they are less than happy with how DSA has turned out for them, yest travel agents do get commission to push it but the fact remains - few people want to fly from there.

 

[rhinoscrazy]

I no this is a but harsh but I hope thomsons drop a couple of flights from Doncaster because there's no market there as of yet and stop dipping there little toe in at leeds Bradford and just turn Leeds in to a base because they would get loads of customers if they went long haul with a b767 or even a b757 I would rather fly tomsons than jet2 or ryanair any day of the week

 

[Seasider]

I would like to know where rhinoscrazy gets his information from re Thomson flights from DSA. I have flown twice this winter (PFO/ALC) and each flight was full. I know that this is only a small sample from my own experience. As far as I am aware they do not have any problems filling the aircraft on the number of flights they are operating at the moment.

 

[backtrack]

Seasider, you are right. For the number of flights TOM offers from DSA, they operate those with high yields, and anyway you can hardly call it a major `base`.

rhinoscrazy, I would think if Thomson were to base at LBA, you are correct in thinking long haul. I dont think they would even waste the time to consider the usual brit holiday hot spots as Jet2 have the game covered there. A B767 would most likely suit this type of operation. Alternatively, TOM may decide to enter the growing winter markets, not very well served as yet from LBA.

 

[jason1-11]

The demand is there if you listen to the number of "Yorkie" ascents on MAN flights. Lets hope the LBA Management offer Thomson's a deal they can't refuse.

You never know, we may even get Thomason flights landing at the LBA without the need of CAVOK conditions.

 

[lbaspotter]

What makes you think that Thommo's would base a Boeing 767-300 aircraft at LBA to operate Long Haul.

Surely if they did return to have a fulltime based aircarft at LBA it would be with either a B737-800 or a B757-200 again. I also get a feeling we would be looking at routes to Turkey, Greece, Egypt and some of the high capacity Spanish routes like Palma and Tenerife.

I for one minute dont think they would consider doing a full season of long-haul flights out of LBA anytime soon. Sorry to dissapoint. Yes they do the one-off departures out of LBA to the Caribbean every winter but you got to rememvber these are operated for P&O and not there own inhouse company the tui group.

 

[ex_crew]

The demand is there if you listen to the number of "Yorkie" ascents on MAN flights. Lets hope the LBA Management offer Thomson's a deal they can't refuse.

I don't think Thompson are disillusioned by the amount of customers there are in the Yorkshire Region, there are other things to consider when basing an aircraft at any airport, yes they would fill but is it practical as a base???

LBA is not their favourite airport, thats for sure.

 

[dispext]

absolutley right, same goes for many other long haul operators. Why use LBA when MAN, far better suited to long-haul is down the road. Plus longhaul leisure means people are more willing to make the trip to MAN and aren't so bothered about the convenience of using LBA. By better suited I mean experience of ground handlers, airport infrastructure, surface access, weather, runway...

How can this change...well for starters some more investment. Isn't Bristol airport going through a £150m redevelopment, and ours was what £30m? Plus support from the local and national government. A direct rail link to Leeds and surrounding towns/cities to a new spur or a new station on the horsforth line, a runway extension and major major terminal changes. Yes this an idealist view and is highly unlikely, I fear LBA will soon reach its peak in terms of what kind of destinations can be offered until these things are dealt with

 

[jason1-11]

Get more charter traffic through the LBA is one of the main goals for the LBA management. Their words not mine, so who does that leave if TUI aren't interested?

The market is domnated by 2 players who have have major "ops" at other airports that include Yorkshire in their catchment area.

 

[Runway 32]

I think we are all dreaming a little too much about long haul operations by the charter airlines. Personally all I can see ever happening in the near future would be the return of a based TOM 737 for European destinations, an increase of the TCX aircraft to an A321 or 757. LBA is too close to MAN for the two major opertors to even do a few long haul charter flights and even then I don't think the airlines will want to do so as for most flights depending on the weather it would require a fuel stop most probably at MAN. The best hope for LBA would be for Jet2 to finally get a 767 and do flights to possible Orlando, Cancun and Dominican and for TCX to take a seat allocation like they currently do on many of the Jet2 flights out of LBA.

 

[ex_crew]

A lot of truth in that but.......Thompson did try it from DSA and that airfield is close to both LBA and EMA, OK so it didn't work but they must of seen some hope there. I think Thompson view LBA as a "problematic " airport and would rather avoid the complications that come with it. Leeds is close to MAN but its still a long way for people to travel to from the East Coast. If Leeds had all its armour in place, rail access, runway length, landing systems etc I don't think a 45 mile away neighbour like MAN would stop long haul ops from the airport.

 

[Seasider]

When Thomson started ops at DSA they were expanding in the "low cost" market in addition to short and long haul IT flights. The parent company then "merged" with First Choice, dropped the "low cost" routes and went back to IT work (which they were, and still are, very good at). First Choice operated long haul from EMA and it was there that they decided to concentrate on, which is surprising considering the closeness to BHX. I have no inside information on the above, just my views on what happened.
Sorry, I think I am helping to deviate from the topic.

 

[ls27]

Long haul from LBA may be on the distant horizon, as Jethros airliner list shows that Jet2 has two 767 300s in store!

 

[backtrack]

Word has it (from LS employee) LBA wont see them. EMA and MAN are to have them based...so she says...

 

[yorkshire]

thats a shame, it would be nice to see a 767 based at leeds ..jobs and all that

 

[Aviador]

Word has it (from LS employee) LBA wont see them. EMA and MAN are to have them based...so she says...

Although it's unlikely that LBA will see much of them, I keep hearing different things depending who you ask, some say Manchester & Newcastle, some say Manchester & East Midlands. In reality, if the airline does get them, they are unlikely to make much of an appearance here at Leeds.

 

[pilot_737]

I cant see them coming here. We have Manchester 40 mins away for Long haul, Newcastle and East Mids dont have many Long haul destinations, so it makes more sense.
I guess they will come to Leeds on the odd occasion for maintenance

 

[lbaspotter]

Hi

Good news Thomas Cook Airlines have added some Monday, Christmas and New Years 2010/2011 and April 2011 departures from Leeds/Bradford to Las Palmas-Gran Canaria.

Flights will be operated by a non based aircraft from December 20, 2010 to January 3rd, 2011

TCX342L = LPA 13:35 - LBA 17:55
TCX342K = LBA 18:55 - LPA 23:20

Then from April 11th to April 25th, 2011 with a based aircraft as follows.

TCX8048 = LBA 08:00 - LPA 12:30
TCX8049 = LPA 13:30 - LBA 17:50

 

[backtrack]

Do you know what aircraft type will be used on the non based aircraft rotations?

 

[lbaspotter]

Looks like the non based flights over the festive period will be operated by a Boeing 757-200 while a Airbus A320-200 will most likley do the flights throughout April 2011 seen as it looks to be operated by the LBA based aircraft.