Leeds Bradford: TUI Airways Flights, New Routes & Schedule Updates

[Jerry]

So do I, but not if it results in a negative impact on the Balkan Holidays operation from LBA. Balkan have been loyal to LBA now for many years and will probably continue to operate from here into the future if the demand is there. The worst case scenario is that TUi pinch their customers, we lose BH and then TUi do their usual thing and pull off the route, leaving us with nothing. Lets hope this route is because there is demand from LBA that isn't being met

Balkan operate a weekly flight from CWL alongside TCX and TOM. They do the same at other airports in the UK and it doesn't seem to effect them.

 

[Aviador]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure the last time Thomson offered flights to Bulgaria they pulled them before they had chance to take place.

 

[ls27]

Yes, you are right, they did just that

 

[White Heather]

And chances are they will do it again. We'll probably get a 6th Palma flight in its place

 

[lbaspotter]

Leeds Bradford Airport have just released the following press release regards Thomson Holidays summer 2018 programme on its website news section.

http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/media/2532/20042017.pdf

PRESS RELEASE Issued: Thursday 20th April 2017

Thomson and First Choice introduce new route to Bulgaria from Leeds Bradford Airport

Thomson and First Choice have announced a new route at Leeds Bradford Airport for anyone taking a holiday in summer 2018.

Due to increased popularity as a family favorite destination, holidaymakers from Yorkshire will now be able to soak up the sunshine in beautiful Bulgaria.

The move to introduce new routes is part of the holiday company’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the finest hotels in some of the most captivating destinations. Today marks the launch of all summer 2018 holidays for the brands which includes new routes.

Customers travelling on the new route to Bulgaria will now have access to some of Thomson and First Choice’s most popular flagship hotels, including the 4Sun Splashworld Aqua Nevis Clubhotel, featuring its own on-site waterpark. Families can enjoy daredevil slides like Kamikaze and Twister or more sedate attractions such as the Crazy River. Really little ones aren’t left out either, with their own playground, pool and water castle.

Those flying on flexible breaks to Bulgaria can also visit the 4T+ Platinum Clubhotel Riu Helios Paradise, a premium hotel with 5 star a la carte restaurants, a variety of pools and the beach on its doorstep.

Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning for TUI UK & Ireland, said: “Adding more capacity from Leeds Bradford Airport with the introduction of a new route to Bulgaria demonstrates our commitment to both the airport and the local community in the area. Increasing access to our exciting collection of destinations and hotels is a key part of our overall strategy and will enhance the holiday experience for our customers.”

Tony Hallwood, Aviation Development Director at LBA, said: "We’re really pleased to hear that Thomson and First Choice are increasing the number of flights, holidays and destinations available from Leeds Bradford Airport in Summer 2018. The introduction of Bulgaria as a new destination is very exciting and I am sure it will be very popular and attract plenty of holiday makers from across West and North Yorkshire.”

ENDS –

 

[White Heather]

So Tony Hallwood states that Summer 18 represents an increase in flights and destinations. Frankly it doesn't look like much of an increase to me. Does anyone know the number of flights/destinations in 2017 compared to 2018? There is also reference to an increase in capacity. Is there one? Could this be a reference to an aircraft upgrade perhaps?

 

[Aviador]

So Tony Hallwood states that Summer 18 represents an increase in flights and destinations. Frankly it doesn't look like much of an increase to me. Does anyone know the number of flights/destinations in 2017 compared to 2018? There is also reference to an increase in capacity. Is there one? Could this be a reference to an aircraft upgrade perhaps?

We often refer to this kind of media as the "airport spin doctor" which looks to be at work in this instance. The same spin doctor usually misses flights that are dropped from the schedule.

 

[White Heather]

I think that on this occasion the spin is approaching tornado force!

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Your point, WH, about TUI going on, then BH dropping and TUI dropping is an all too familiar tactic of our 2nd largest resident. Lets hope TUI are not following suite but with this airport i would not be surprised. As already state I'm expecting the BOJ to turn into a W pattern PMI to somewhere else.

As for Tony - reckon TUI paid him a lump sum to spin this negative, boring news into something positive?

 

[oldendays]

Sunwing 738 has just arrived in the last few minutes.

 

[lbaspotter]

But who makes such decisions? As I understand it the aircraft are Sunwing but the flights are for TUi, and are they not TUi aircrew? So is it Sunwing, over in Canada that make the decisions on what the aircraft do or TUi over here?

The Sunwing aircraft stay on the Canadian (C prefix) registration, Use Sunwing's AOC, Canadian pilots and operate under Canadian rules but they use the TOM flight numbers and its callsign.
The TUI UK based cabin crew have to comply with Canadian requirements, eg all on-board announcements have to be in both English and French.

Sunwing is operated as a joint venture with TUI Group and therefore Sunwing Airlines is a sister airline to Thomson.

 

[oldendays]

So over the decades we have had Britannia, various Thomson permutations, TUI and Sunwing flying under the Thomson Holidays banner. I propose Sunwing is renamed Britannia Canada Airways immediately !

 

[oldendays]

And while we're at it, TUI UK can be Britannia Airways, the German outfit can be Hapag Lloyd and so on.

 

[White Heather]

I really don't understand TUi. This week TUi and LBA have released a press statement lauding the start of the new route to Faro by Thomson and First Choice - a route that First Choice operated from LBA until TUi took over and promptly axed it . There is the usual blurb about them expanding their offering from local airports. What they don't tell us is that for 2018, they have already axed the route again, before it has even started for summer 2017.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Heather, airlines and airports could give Shane Warne a master class on spin. I'm never quite sure whether they are better at it than politicians, and that is saying an awful lot. It's a very close run thing.

 

[a300boy]

TUI B737-800 G-FDZA is inbound from Tenerife is this normal or has our Candian unit gonetech ?

 

[Airplane]

It is currently on finals landing at gatwick

 

[a300boy]

Yes it took a right turn over Brighton !
I see our based Sunwing aircraft is here at Leeds.

 

[a300boy]

Another FR24 screw up I suspect ZA was never coming here.

 

[tleeds]

Monarch's engineering base is seen as a huge asset to LBA. They regualarly help out with Jet2 and KLM in the past when there have been issues.

To keep on topic they do have to conduct a "walk round" of the Sunwing aircraft on arrival. However the flight deck is Sunwing flight deck and the cabin crew Thomson so the flight deck tend to do their own checks also.