Perhaps, but not necessarily because forward bookings aren't a good as they might have hoped? The long haul programme does look a tad ambitious.
I'd be more surprised if TCX didn't have a media and advertising splurge now, considering the money they must be investing in the new routes, additional A330 etc. There's been many a time I've read criticism on here about lack of publicity by the airlines when they start new routes...
The timing is perfect as well. Immediately post-Christmas is traditionally when folk start thinking about their summer holidays, and when companies like Thomas Cook and Thomsons start their big push to bring in summer sales. Monarch longhaul is no more, but then Virgin and Thomsons are also competing to fill the void. Judging by this year's Xmas retail sales perhaps people are starting to loosen the purse strings a little ? No doubt falling fuel prices and the easing of APD on families will all help. There's also the general election - always a good reason to leave the country if you can !!
It will be interesting to see how next year all pans out. Good on Thomas Cooks for having a go, best of luck to them and to all the airlines at MAN for 2015.
Last edited by Logohu; 27th Dec 2014 at 11:32.
Reason: typo