Originally Posted by
SWBKCB
Aren't Norwich and Leeds seasonal bases?
Both Norwich and Leeds/Bradford have TUI operated flights year-round. BFS is the only TUI base to have summer-only flights.
Originally Posted by
SWBKCB
If TUI weren't interested in NI, they wouldn't be there - especially not with a leased in a/c!
TUI as a travel agency are interested in the NI market, as they sell package holidays and cruises with various different companies through their stores. TUI aren't as interested however in using their own hardware to transport these holidaymakers to their destinations. They much prefer to sell tickets on other airlines, including even Thomas Cook.
Leasing in an aircraft does not say 'long term commitment', it's another way of saying that NI holidaymakers aren't worth as much to TUI as other travellers, and won't mind travelling on an aircraft that isn't up to TUI's high standard. On the other hand, capital investment in their BFS base would tell NI holidaymakers that TUI are here to stay, and that the NI market matters to them.
Originally Posted by
SWBKCB
How would a permanent base make it more feasible - as you've just pointed out, it's to do with a/c availability.
TUI have leased an aircraft for BFS summer operations for several years in a row, so the lack of an aircraft isn't a short-term issue.
During the winter season, TUI lease several aircraft out to Sunwing and other airlines, but despite that they still have a surplus. TUI prefer to keep spare aircraft grounded than to send one to BFS to operate flights to the Canaries etc. That doesn't seem like a long term commitment to the NI market. Compare that to Thomas Cook, who operate between 2-4 weekly flights to ACE/TFS during the winter season.
Furthermore, only 0.9% of seats offered across the TUI UK network are from BFS, and TUI only offer 1.6% of all of BFS' total seats in 2018 (108,864). That is a clear indication that TUI are not interested in the NI market. In addition, TUI haven't expanded their BFS operations of years; they've simply moved schedules about and replaced existing services with new ones.
Five years ago TUI operated 12 routes from BFS. TUI will operate 12 routes in 2018 as well, having axed three destinations since 2013 in favour of three different ones.
Other airlines have expanded their operations from BFS and have eaten into core TUI territory. This year, only one TUI route from BFS will be operated without facing direct competition.