TUI Airways

[Aviador]

I would tend to agree MAS737

I don't think Thomson restrict the aircraft at LBA anymore, but back then it was the new baby of the fleet so I guess it's understandable that they would want to conduct trials etc.

 

[jason1-11]

[offtopic][/offtopic]

Is the CatIII on 32 so borderline at Leeds that extensive trials have to be conducted before use? Speaking to an Ops guy at Bristol which isn't massively disimilar, they don't seem to have the same issues.

Any idea what if any restrictions the CAA have put on the use on CAT III ops at Leeds?

 

[a300boy]

We operate under Irish rules so I am not sure of the current Uk rules but I suspect the B737-800s will be weight restricted for Cat 3 landings and the wet runway restiction may still apply for runway 14 landings due to the shorter landing distance. These restriction will be written into the airlines operations manual agreed with the Uk Caa and can be different for each airline. If you remember we often had the Bmi B737-500 arriving at Lba in foggy conditions holding for 30 mins then diverting to Manchester dropping off all the passengers because he was too heavy to land Cat 3 at Leeds then flying back to lba empty later and landing Cat 3 as he was light enough to do so.

 

[LeedsPilot]

We operate under Irish rules so I am not sure of the current Uk rules but I suspect the B737-800s will be weight restricted for Cat 3 landings and the wet runway restiction may still apply for runway 14 landings due to the shorter landing distance. These restriction will be written into the airlines operations manual agreed with the Uk Caa and can be different for each airline. If you remember we often had the Bmi B737-500 arriving at Lba in foggy conditions holding for 30 mins then diverting to Manchester dropping off all the passengers because he was too heavy to land Cat 3 at Leeds then flying back to lba empty later and landing Cat 3 as he was light enough to do so.

Here's proof that B738's can land in wet conditions even on runway 14, even B763's can!
http://www.airliners.net/photo/1668469/ ... 2f49c61f0a
http://www.airliners.net/photo/1668470/ ... 2f49c61f0a

As regards CAT3 approaches at LBA I have witnessed even jet2 B757's perform them during low visibility procedures so I don't see any problems with B738's except their landing speed is around 10 knots higher (~140kts average compared to ~130kts on the B752).

 

[White Heather]

I always understood that it was the wind speed and direction that was the critical factor at LBA (rather than the wet runway) with regard to Cat3 landings on 32. They don't have Cat3 on 14 so its a different situation altogether, but I have seen some big aircraft land on 14 in the wet, including Concorde and various Tristars (with all but one stopping before the end!!).

 

[a300boy]

The performance books vary from one operator to another as I have stated, the crew then have to study the data and have the final decision to make. the runway may be damp.wet or flooded and headwind plus crosswind is factored into the calculation.
I know for a fact Thomsons had a no land policy on runway 14 if it was wet but that may no longer exist. Problems like that are discussed and reconciled with the Caa and the ops manual ammended when a change is made.
Just because one operators aircraft choose to land in a certain situation is not a reason for another operator to do so. We see this all the time at Lba dont we and I can assure you it is often the case elsewhere. Our landing distances are marginal for large aircraft I wish it was not so but unless Robin Hood donate us theirs we will have to make do with what we have.
Bristol has one major advantage over us it runway is east-west so the prevailing winds are normally around the runway axis.

 

[White Heather]

If the runway lengths are marginal then, it is hard to see why the airport are so disinterested in a runway extension. They obviously still feel that if they sit tight, the aircraft now being developed will be better suited to shorter runways.

 

[a300boy]

I assume the cost of runway extensions would not be financially viable but would in my opinion change the whole operational situation. As you say the new generation of aircraft may bring us new oppurtunities, I hope so !!

 

[whoshotjimmi]

I have said before that the likes of the 787 is the key to developing routes out of LBA in the future. Interestingly, Thomson are among the first operators to be receiving the type. More interestingly, they have no plans to use the type at LBA. This MUST be seen as proof that Thomson do not have an aircraft problem with LBA, rather a lack of interest of operating from the airport.

With the ever delayed entry into service of the 787 and the expected rate of delivery, it could be 10 years or so before LBA can even sniff the odd benefit of the 787. Unless, of course, Thomson have a change of heart.

 

[tleeds]

It seems LBA have got a few problems, however I don't understand how?!

On the LBA Destinations Route Map, see here: http://www.airportdirecttravel.co.uk/leedsbradford/map , the airport are saying that passengers are able to book from LBA-SSH with Thomson from 03/11/11 until 31/07/12. You cannot book anything on the Thomson website but can on the LBA website.

I am obviously taking this as a computer error, but where have LBA got the dates, all the way into the Summer, from....?

 

[tleeds]

Just to let everyone know, Thomson's Tenerife flights start tomorrow (4th November) and are due to continue until 27th April 2012.

Flights will be operated by the temporary Thomson Tenerife based Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The flight arrives into LBA as TOM3531 at 1130
The flight departs LBA as TOM3530 at 1230

The times are to change however on the 16th December and will remain, as follows, for the remainder of the services, until 27th April.
Flight TOM3531 will arrive into LBA at 1310
Flight TOM3530 will depart LBA at 1410

 

[Moo2009]

Prop nothing in this but will mention it, I noticed today a lady from Serviceair was showing a lady from Thomson airways around all of serviceairs ground equipment and the Thomson lady was taking a lot of notes

 

[tleeds]

That is quite odd, as I see no reason why Thomson would be interested in the Check-In desks...

The only thing I can think of is that they will not be using Servisair anymore as Check-In attendants but will be recruiting their own, but is this even possible....?? I presumed that if you used Servisair as handling agents you got the full package and can't pick and choose what you want.

The only other thing I can think of is that they might be commencing a lot more routes out of LBA

 

[lbia]

Airlines make regular audits of Servisair, mainly when a complaint has been made about them. I would imagine it simply is an audit of what levels of service are offered at LBA.

 

[EX9]

It was a performance audit of a turnaround. They are done by every airline every few months.

 

[lbaspotter]

Good news to report.

Thomson Holidays have just announced that they will re-start direct once weekly Charter flights to Egypt's - Sharm el Sheikh from Leeds/Bradford as from the winter 2012/13 timetable.

Flights to Sharm el Sheikh will operate every Thursday commencing from November 1st 2012 using a part based Boeing 737-800 for 2 days as it will also operate the Firday, Tenerife service.

Thursdays
LBA 07:30 SSH 15:00
SSH 16:00 LBA 20:05
Fridays
LBA 10:30 TFS 14:55
TFS 15:55 LBA 20:25

 

[wawkrk]

I read somewhere that the Jet2 fleet is now about to become the same size as Thomsons UK fleet.
Then bigger I assume. How times change.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Good news to report.

Thomson Holidays have just announced that they will re-start direct once weekly Charter flights to Egypt's - Sharm el Sheikh from Leeds/Bradford as from the winter 2012/13 timetable.

Flights to Sharm el Sheikh will operate every Thursday commencing from November 1st 2012 using a part based Boeing 737-800 for 2 days as it will also operate the Firday, Tenerife service.

Thursdays
LBA 07:30 SSH 15:00
SSH 16:00 LBA 20:05
Fridays
LBA 10:30 TFS 14:55
TFS 15:55 LBA 20:25

Very good news! SSH back onto the LBIA flighttimeable! Nice to see! Some nice pax figures for winter should Jet2 & Thomas cook improve on this winter! Also don't forget the FR 3rd based a/c, and possible departure of BMI regional with longair replacment! 3 mill mark possible? Think its done imho.

I know i'm going to sound stupid, but maybe this could trigger a re think on where they stand with regards to egypt! It certainly would be nice to see them back on the LBA-SSH route.

 

[Aviador]

I read somewhere that the Jet2 fleet is now about to become the same size as Thomsons UK fleet.
Then bigger I assume. How times change.

Just goes to show how this "little airport sat on a mist shrouded hill top" has proved itself as catalyst to growth for Jet2 as one of the last remaining untapped markets in the UK. The airport has played a fundamental part in Jet2's growth. Had Thomson's taken the opportunity and expanded their Leeds operation when it was entering the low cost market it could have been a completely different story.

 

[tleeds]

A very good point Aviador although I think Thomson missed out nationally as well!

Thomson were very undecided through 2003/4/5 on whether to hit more of the Charter or Scheduled market. They had a substantial offering from LBA, and had they changed to more of a Scheduled based operations, they I really do believe they would have hindered Jet2's growth, not just at LBA but also at other Jet2 bases around the UK, as well as fighting off other Charter airlines!

Good old MyTravel's subsidiary MyTravelLite never really worked well from Birmingham when they tried to be a 'LoCo' and Monarch are a casing point even to the present day! Thomson tried to give it a go with their 'LoCo' base at Coventry, and again didn't really work, so on the other hand, I think Thomson should just be who they are to the core, a Holiday Charter Airline, as it might not have worked at LBA either...

Sorry if I strayed off topic, but tried to keep it as 'LBA Based' as I could...