TUI Airways

[White Heather]

Nobbled by Manchester like they're now trying to do with Wizz.

Manchester aren't going to take kindly to expansion by LBA, or LPL for that matter. Get Wizz from both, and they hurt both in one go. But Wizz have happily operated from LPL for years so why would they move? And if they stay at LPL, why leave LBA for MAN and have two airports within 35 miles and nothing East of the Pennines? Makes little sense.

According to the LBA CEO, this sort of poaching goes on all the time and LBA try to do the same.

If DSA reopens, it will instantly become a target for MAG who will not want it stealing passengers from either MAN or EMA.

 

[Matt995]

Had confirmation from a friend today that it looks like this summer’s Freebird flights from Leeds to Dalaman have been cancelled as they have been offered alternative flights from Manchester or full refund by TUI.

looks like TUI are cutting back their Turkey program for this summer, they have dropped the 2 weekly Izmir flights from BHX, and also removed 2 weekly Antalya flights from BHX, due to also being operated by Freebird, guessing this is happening all other UK airports?

Has Turkey hit it's satuation point, is it too expensive now?, or it the competion from the likes of Sun Express affecting them?

 

[White Heather]

looks like TUI are cutting back their Turkey program for this summer, they have dropped the 2 weekly Izmir flights from BHX, and also removed 2 weekly Antalya flights from BHX, due to also being operated by Freebird, guessing this is happening all other UK airports?

Has Turkey hit it's satuation point, is it too expensive now?, or it the competion from the likes of Sun Express affecting them?

Perhaps the issue is relating to Freebird? Maybe their contract ended and agreement can't be reached on a new one. Too expensive maybe? Freebird msy have better offers? Or maybe TUi are going down the road of buying seats on the Sun Express flights so no longer need the dedicated charter flights previously operated by Freebird?

 

[Finger66]

Had confirmation from a friend today that it looks like this summer’s Freebird flights from Leeds to Dalaman have been cancelled as they have been offered alternative flights from Manchester or full refund by TUI.

Jet2 left to yet again laugh all the way to the bank.
Also does potentially open up an opportunity for someone like Sun Express.
Just don't get TUI and their lack of support for LBA - they are missing out on so much. LS and probably U2 to come are proving that. And with shiny new facilities too.

 

[White Heather]

Jet2 left to yet again laugh all the way to the bank.
Also does potentially open up an opportunity for someone like Sun Express.
Just don't get TUI and their lack of support for LBA - they are missing out on so much. LS and probably U2 to come are proving that. And with shiny new facilities too.

I seem to recall reading that TUi were offering seats on Sun Express from LBA. Hopefully that ensures that route becomes a permanent fixture and encourages them to offer more.

 

[Finger66]

Yes they are but Sun Express don't do Dalaman do they? Isn't it only Antalya?

 

[White Heather]

Yes they are but Sun Express don't do Dalaman do they? Isn't it only Antalya?

No, they don't, yet. Hence my comment that success on the existing (Antalya) route will lead to more, such as Dalaman.

 

[rollo]

I think if you take a step back and look at TUI and their situation they are stagnating as a business having found themselves between a rock and a hard place with Jet2 above offering a better service at slightly higher prices and Ryanair along with EasyJet and their rapidly expanding holiday arm operating below with their pricing.

Suggestion for LBA don't hang your hat on TUI and do everything to get EasyJet in.

 

[lbaspotter]

This maybe a factor as to what’s happening in Turkey. When I was in Alanya last summer I had read some reports that resorts up in the Izmir & Bodrum had really been struggling to fill with UK passengers because the costs of food in restaurants and other ancillary revenues had sky rocketed by more than 110% in a year, so it was putting people of returning.
If I remember correctly some hotel pre-bookings were nearly 40-50% down in June 2024, so the Turkish tourism boards were hoping to back fill the lost peak UK capacity by flooding the market with lates to the Russian market.

Now we really didn’t see much of an increase in costs ourselves. But I’m going back to Alanya (Antalya region) with Sun Express/On the Beach in June and will report back my findings .

 

[752]

Maybe TUI are cutting expensive ACMI operations and concentrating using their own / taking seats on other operators. They clearly work closely with Sun Express who appears to be the winner at the moment. Corendon airlines have cut their UK flights also.


Hopefully Sun express can announce DLM from
Other UK Airports and continue being successful

 

[Finger66]

There is also the potential for further political uncertainty in Turkey, particularly related to Syria.

So what we see happening could very well be a combination of all things mentioned.

So let's see how what we have got for 2025 actually sells. Hopefully very well.

 

[White Heather]

Interesting times for the industry given the downturn in Turkey, and anti tourism demonstrations in Spain.

Step forward Yorkshire Airlines with holidays from Leeds International Airstrip, to Leeds International Airstrip. You know why.

Perhaps LBA should rebrand the 14/32 lounge as the Alan Bennett class lounge?

 

[Matt995]

Perhaps the issue is relating to Freebird? Maybe their contract ended and agreement can't be reached on a new one. Too expensive maybe? Freebird msy have better offers? Or maybe TUi are going down the road of buying seats on the Sun Express flights so no longer need the dedicated charter flights previously operated by Freebird?

not certain the issue is with Freebird, they are still due to operate flights to UK airports still on behalf of TUI, including 2 BHX-DLM flights, but we are at the time of the year when TUI seem to review the summer program, and the man with the large axe enjoys axing routes!!!!

 

[White Heather]

not certain the issue is with Freebird, they are still due to operate flights to UK airports still on behalf of TUI, including 2 BHX-DLM flights, but we are at the time of the year when TUI seem to review the summer program, and the man with the large axe enjoys axing routes!!!!

Especially from LBA.

 

[Len Fish]

Interesting times for the industry given the downturn in Turkey, and anti tourism demonstrations in Spain.

Step forward Yorkshire Airlines with holidays from Leeds International Airstrip, to Leeds International Airstrip. You know why.

Perhaps LBA should rebrand the 14/32 lounge as the Alan Bennett class lounge?

Complete with mushy peas and that damn awful keyboard player!

 

[airforced]

^This sounds awfully TUI to me.

Initially offering everything to everybody then consolidating when the numbers don't add up which then mean cancelling or doing as they offer which most people do, at additional expense to themselves.

Once that is of of the way passengers should expect the flight timings to change, adversely, maybe more than than once before they fly. Typical TUI though.

When will their customers learn.

 

[lbaspotter]

Tui Summer 2025 – LBA schedule

TUI Airways (UK) will continue to operate up to 6x weekly flights on its 3x routes from Leeds/Bradford for summer 2025, with all flights currently scheduled to be operated by Boeing 737-800's, But like last year i suspect the Boeing 737-MAX8's will make an odd appearance as well.

CFU = Corfu = 1x weekly (Fri)
DBV = Dubrovnik = 1x weekly (Thu)
PMI = Palma de Mallorca = 4x weekly (Tue-Wed & Sat-Sun)

Positioning flights
BFS = Belfast International
INV = Inverness

Tuesdays
TOM3521 = PMI 10:40 – LBA 12:25 / TOM3520 LBA 15:20 – LBA 19:00 B738 06/05-28/10

Wednesdays
TOM3359 = PMI 11:20 – LBA 13:05 / TOM3358 LBA 14:35 – PMI 18:15 B738 28/05-28/05
TOM3359 = PMI 11:20 – LBA 13:05 / TOM9----- LBA 13:55 – INV 15:05 B738 04/06-04/06
TOM9----- = INV 14:00 – LBA 16:10 / TOM3358 LBA 16:15 – PMI 19:55 B738 16/07-16/07
TOM3359 = PMI 11:20 – LBA 13:05 / TOM3358 LBA 14:35 – PMI 18:15 B738 23/07-24/09

Thursdays
TOM3451 = DBV 10:40 – LBA 12:45 / TOM3450 = LBA 13:55 – DBV 17:45 B738 08/05-30/10

Fridays
TOM3551 = CFU 12:15 – LBA 13:45 / TOM3550 = LBA 15:05 – CFU 20:30 B738 02/05-31/10

Saturdays
TOM3619 = PMI 10:45 – LBA 12:30 / TOM3618 = LBA 15:15 – PMI 18:55 B738 03/05-25/10

Sundays
TOM3765 = PMI 10:35 – LBA 12:20 / TOM3764 = LBA 14:55 - PMI 18:35 B738 25/05-15/06
TOM3765 = PMI 10:35 – LBA 12:20 / TOM9----- = LBA 13:00 - BFS 14:00 B738 22/06-22/06
TOM9----- = BFS 13:50 – LBA 14:50 / TOM3764 = LBA 15:45 – PMI 18:35 B738 20/07-20/07
TOM3765 = PMI 10:35 – LBA 12:20 / TOM3764 = LBA 14:55 - PMI 18:35 B738 27/07-05/10
TOM3765 = PMI 10:35 – LBA 12:20 / TOM9----- = LBA 13:00 – INV 14:10 B738 12/10-12/10
TOM9----- = INV 13:35 – LBA 14:45 / TOM3674 = LBA 15:45 – PMI 19:25 B738 26/10-26/10
TOM3765 = PMI 10:40 – LBA 12:25 / --------------------------------------- B738 02/11-02/11

 

[Matt995]

slight change for summer 2025

Thursdays LBA Dubrovnik flight is now showing on a 737 Max not a 737-800, as TUI are now basing another 737 Max at BHX, instead of a 737-800.

 

[lbaspotter]

TUI have been slashing the schedules for next summer 2026 season and as to be expected Leeds hasn’t escaped. And yes I hear it! “Typical TUI”

TUI Charter Programme
Dubrovnik - Remains 1x weekly (Thu) = TUI Airways
Corfu - Remains 1x weekly (Fr)i = TUI Airways
Palma - Reduced from 4x to 3x weekly (Tue & Sat-Sun) = TUI Airways
Antalya = Remains on the SunExpress Scheduled service
Dalaman = Axed

 

[Aviador]

How have other airports faired do you know?