TUI Airways

[Severn]

Wouldn't it be 10 chances? x2 AYT, x2 DLM, X4 PMI, X1 CFU, X1 DBV?

nether the less its better then previous years but not enough.

Everyone seems very quick to hit out at TUI and their lack of growth at the airport. They may be easy to blame, but has anyone thought that TUIs decision might be based on there being a lack of space at the airport or even that there's already a saturation of the holiday market at LBA given that Jet2 dominate every single destination already? What's the incentive for TUI to increase their market share at LBA given Jet2s monopoly? Could this be the airports Achilles' heel?

TUI certainly haven't held back with growth at NCL (2x extra based aircraft in 2024 vs 2022, plus soon to be almost daily longhaul flights) or at EMA (3x extra based aircraft (a doubling) in 2024 vs 2022). That's 6x extra aircraft into the surrounding airports, but at least TUI can compete there against Jet2, whereas at LBA, it might not be worth the investment?

Or maybe it's the airport who have said no thank you, we have no room for any more based aircraft? Maybe Jet2 have earmarked any extra upcoming stands for themselves meaning no TUI, or any other overnighting airlines (Lufthansa / Air France)? My point is, how can wet be certain that TUI doesn't want to expand but isn't being supported - especially as they have no problems expanding elsewhere?

 

[Finger66]

@Severn those are very fair points but history does suggest otherwise. And nothing to stop Extra W legs on other routes. They manage it on PMI, CFU and DBV so not as though they are averse to it. Even HUY got a doubling for 2025, albeit from 1 to 2 flights a week, both to PMI. But also EMA got the bulk of the DSA slack - no real increase at LBA to compensate.

 

[Severn]

@Severn those are very fair points but history does suggest otherwise. And nothing to stop Extra W legs on other routes. They manage it on PMI, CFU and DBV so not as though they are averse to it. Even HUY got a doubling for 2025, albeit from 1 to 2 flights a week, both to PMI. But also EMA got the bulk of the DSA slack - no real increase at LBA to compensate.

W-legs are not the most cost effective way of operating at an airport, and there is a point where it makes more sense to open a base, but they're not, so should we be asking ourselves, is that a TUI issue, or an airport space/market issue at LBA.

 

[White Heather]

Everyone seems very quick to hit out at TUI and their lack of growth at the airport. They may be easy to blame, but has anyone thought that TUIs decision might be based on there being a lack of space at the airport or even that there's already a saturation of the holiday market at LBA given that Jet2 dominate every single destination already? What's the incentive for TUI to increase their market share at LBA given Jet2s monopoly? Could this be the airports Achilles' heel?

TUI certainly haven't held back with growth at NCL (2x extra based aircraft in 2024 vs 2022, plus soon to be almost daily longhaul flights) or at EMA (3x extra based aircraft (a doubling) in 2024 vs 2022). That's 6x extra aircraft into the surrounding airports, but at least TUI can compete there against Jet2, whereas at LBA, it might not be worth the investment?

Or maybe it's the airport who have said no thank you, we have no room for any more based aircraft? Maybe Jet2 have earmarked any extra upcoming stands for themselves meaning no TUI, or any other overnighting airlines (Lufthansa / Air France)? My point is, how can wet be certain that TUI doesn't want to expand but isn't being supported - especially as they have no problems expanding elsewhere?

There's no room for further based aircraft at LBA, that's for sure. And it's true to say that last time TUi based here, it was a disaster - LBA being their worst performing airport . However, the fact they operated here using Sunwing, whose reliability record left much to be desired, didn't help.

If TUi do struggle here in the battle with Jet2, they've only themselves to blame . They were the dominant force here until they left LBA for a cheap deal at the new DSA and in so doing, they opened the door for Jet2 at LBA. That turned out to be a big mistake.

That said, it would be good for the airport to have more from them once the capacity is there in the terminal, in 2026. Whether they're up for the fight is another matter altogether. The longer they stay away, the harder it will be to force their way back in.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

One thing to mention @Severn is that TUI don’t have substantial fleet on order specifically for TUI UK.

Which is a huge mistake from management. They could quite easily grow market share by having larger A321NEO on order or delivered.

They are still waiting for the MAX10 to be certified, still if ever, that aircraft will get authorised.

Where the growth is coming from who knows. One would imagine robbing Peter to pay Paul to coin a phrase. Or leasing in rubbish operators for a summer lease only for the reliability to be horrific and the TUI brand tarnished.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Everyone seems very quick to hit out at TUI and their lack of growth at the airport. They may be easy to blame, but has anyone thought that TUIs decision might be based on there being a lack of space at the airport or even that there's already a saturation of the holiday market at LBA given that Jet2 dominate every single destination already? What's the incentive for TUI to increase their market share at LBA given Jet2s monopoly? Could this be the airports Achilles' heel?

TUI certainly haven't held back with growth at NCL (2x extra based aircraft in 2024 vs 2022, plus soon to be almost daily longhaul flights) or at EMA (3x extra based aircraft (a doubling) in 2024 vs 2022). That's 6x extra aircraft into the surrounding airports, but at least TUI can compete there against Jet2, whereas at LBA, it might not be worth the investment?

Or maybe it's the airport who have said no thank you, we have no room for any more based aircraft? Maybe Jet2 have earmarked any extra upcoming stands for themselves meaning no TUI, or any other overnighting airlines (Lufthansa / Air France)? My point is, how can wet be certain that TUI doesn't want to expand but isn't being supported - especially as they have no problems expanding elsewhere?

I mentioned before that the Tui travel shop in Leeds told me Tui wanted to base aircraft at Leeds but had been told there was no room.

 

[752]

I wouldn't say TUI travel agents are reliable source for information. Jet2 literally dominant just about every base they operate out of. so why would TUI shy around LBA. only logical reason is no room for a base yet. but still doesn't stop them adding W patterns.

 

[Jerry]

their lack of commitment to LBA

Realistically they don't need to serve Leeds Bradford at all. They could just offer their options from Manchester and they know people will fly with them from there from West Yorkshire, East Midlands is an option for South Yorkshire and Newcastle for North Yorkshire. Yet they do seem to feel they need a presence and are using non based flights. The holiday market from LBA is saturated so going to a commitment of a base of at least 2 aircraft would be a big risk for a cautious company like TUI.

 

[A400]

I disagree why should people in West Yorkshire be expected to travel to MAN?. Because it’s an easier option for crews?

Like said they clearly see demand at LBA regardless of competition with Jet2 otherwise they wouldn’t be here at all and hopefully in future when the expansion is complete they will expand their offerings.

 

[Aviador]

Realistically they don't need to serve Leeds Bradford at all. They could just offer their options from Manchester and they know people will fly with them from there from West Yorkshire, East Midlands is an option for South Yorkshire and Newcastle for North Yorkshire. Yet they do seem to feel they need a presence and are using non based flights. The holiday market from LBA is saturated so going to a commitment of a base of at least 2 aircraft would be a big risk for a cautious company like TUI.

I think you will find the holiday market at LBA is far from saturated. You could have equally applied your theory to Jet2 when they opened an eight aircraft base at Manchester. Now imagine this. The Yorkshire population stands at around 5.23 million. That's just less than the entire population of Scotland. The population of Wales stand at around 3.11 million. Wales is 1.75 times the size of Yorkshire. For further comparison The South West of England has a population of around the same as Yorkshire and it is served by Bristol and Exeter airports between them handling passengers numbers of around 9 million annually.

The whole reason TUI moved from LBA to DSA was because they were offered an infamous "Peel deal" to move there. TUI thought their passengers would simply up-stick and move with them but they didn't. It proved that you can't just plonk an airport in the middle of a area like a pin to a map and expect people to go there. LBA on the other hand, despite all its woes is central to the majority of the Yorkshire population which lies between Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Harrogate and York.

 

[Seasider]

For my "twopenny worth", I think TUI are keeping a presence at LBA to have a "foot in the door" when the facilities at LBA and the economy improves.

 

[Finger66]

Indeed. They are still here for the next two summers, albeit in a frustratingly low capacity and disappear altogether through winter. 2026 should be a turning point for LBA, assuming no construction delays, so think it's perhaps time we gave TUI the benefit of the doubt until then

 

[lbaspotter]

Not checked the summer 2025 schedule yet, but are the 2x weekly Antalya flights shown operated by Sun Express or "Airline TBC"?

If not, It makes me wonder if TUi are switching back to there own chartered flights?

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Realistically they don't need to serve Leeds Bradford at all. They could just offer their options from Manchester and they know people will fly with them from there from West Yorkshire, East Midlands is an option for South Yorkshire and Newcastle for North Yorkshire. Yet they do seem to feel they need a presence and are using non based flights. The holiday market from LBA is saturated so going to a commitment of a base of at least 2 aircraft would be a big risk for a cautious company like TUI.

It's that arrogance that let Jet2 in, which, is now becoming some what of a pain in the arse for TUI.

It's far from saturated I'd say we need a 2 base if not 3 based TUI with it being year round to give Jet2/Jet2holidays a run for their money. Palma for example at one point had Jet2, Ryanair, Monarch and TUI all offering seats and now has TUI (to an extent), Jet2 and Ryanair.

 

[Jerry]

The Yorkshire population stands at around 5.23 million.

And a big chunk of that population is within easy reach of other airports as well, it's that age old problem many airports have is that people are willing to travel, as for TUIs DSA base it was 4 based aircraft so they must have been getting the passengers from somewhere.

 

[A400]

And a big chunk of that population is within easy reach of other airports as well, it's that age old problem many airports have is that people are willing to travel, as for TUIs DSA base it was 4 based aircraft so they must have been getting the passengers from somewhere.

That’s the case with most airports. Eg LTN and STN.

 

[Aviador]

It's that arrogance that let Jet2 in, which, is now becoming some what of a pain in the arse for TUI.

So true and isn't funny when new people come in and make the same mistake!

LBA is currently handling 4mppa and it is still only really scratching the surface of its potential. Yes airlines could just expect their passengers to find their own way across the hill to Manchester but Jet2 proved people wanted to fly from their own airport. The commencement of Jet2 flights from Leeds proved LBA had a solid untapped catchment area. The Jet2 move to LBA allowed them pretty much unrestricted access to a catchment area with a population of 5 million inhabitants. A market that was being forced, not always willingly across the Pennines for its aviation needs.

 

[lbaspotter]

TUI SUMMER 2025 AS WENT ON SALE THIS WEEK.

Antalya = 2x weekly (Wed & Sun)
Dalaman = 2x weekly (Mon & Thu)
Dubrovnik = 1x weekly (Thu)
Corfu = 1x weekly (Fri)
Palma = 4x weekly (Tue-Wed & Sat-Sun)

Mondays
TBC----- = DLM 06:00 - LBA 08:35 / TBC----- = LBA 09:35 - DLM 15:55
Tuesdays
TOM3251 = PMI 12:05 - LBA 13:50 / TOM3250 = LBA 15:20 - PMI 19:00
Wednesdays
TBC----- = AYT 08:25 - LBA 11:15 / TBC----- = LBA 12:15 - AYT 18:45
TOM3359 = PMI 11:20 - LBA 13:05 / TOM3358 = LBA 14:35 - PMI 18:15
Thursdays
TBC----- = DLM 06:00 - LBA 08:35 / TBC----- = LBA 09:35 - DLM 15:55
TOM3451 = DBV 10:50 - LBA 12:55 / TOM3450 = LBA 13:55 - DBV 17:45
Fridays
TOM3551 = CFU 12:15 - LBA 13:45 / TOM3550 = LBA 15:05 - CFU 20:30
Saturdays
TOM3619 = PMI 10:50 - LBA 12:35 / TOM3618 = LBA 14:05 - PMI 17:45
Sundays
TBC----- = PMI 08:00 - LBA 09:45 / TBC----- = LBA 10:45 - PMI 14:25
TBC----- = AYT 08:25 - LBA 11:15 / TBC----- = LBA 12:15 - AYT 18:45

Worth noting that New routes are normally added by TUI around April time when the schedule gets updated.

 

[The Pole]

Been trying to see if any info on the Tui incident is on the AAIB, however cant find anything not even an incident logged, anyone know when some info/report will be available?

 

[lbaspotter]

The planned Sunday Palma flight has switched operators..it was due to be operated by Albastar but is now showing operated by in in-house airline TUI Airways with new timings as well.

Ops 26/05-26/06, 21/07-06/10 & 27/10-03/11
TOM3754 = PMI 10:40 - LBA 12:25 /
TOM3763 = LBA 15:45 - PMi 19:25