Originally Posted by
Yeehaw22
The plan was to have spare aircraft in the fleet. 1 x 789 and 1 x 738 if memory serves. However a number of circumstances have conspired against this. Late deliveries of aircraft being the primary one. 3rd party providers falling over. A/c damaged by ground equipment and of course a shortage of crews.
As mentioned in my previous post, TUI was planning to operate 80 aircraft, of which 78 was needed daily, and as mentioned above leaves a spare 789 & 738.
However 788 G-TUIF has been out of service for almost 2 weeks, 738 G-TAWP is still at St Athan, not entered service, & The Max G-TUMP is due to be delivered on the 11th June, so that's 3 aircraft short.
738 G-TAWO has been out of service since Thursday, issue in Dubrovnik, and has only just been flown to Prestwick, possibly for work on it?
add the fact that the planned A321 from Smartlynx due to be based at Manchester, looks like its not going to happen, so is currently replaced by an A320 at present, so it means the current planned fleet is at present down 4 aircraft, hence the need to lease in other aircraft, ie Air Tanker, Privilege Style, Neos etc. & therefore no spare aircraft capacity.
Hopefully come July all these aircraft will be back in service, and maybe the new dreamliner G-TUIP maybe delivered, if Boeing gets the clearance to start delivering them again!