Personally I think TUI/Thomson arrived on the longhaul scene at STN two years too late. Thomas Cook have got it to themselves now. Personally I see it as a growth area for Thomas Cook now.
Don't think it's so much that... MT only have a fairly short programme over the school summer holiday period. TOM were operating long-haul year round, to CUN at least anyway.
TOM's long-haul from STN is certainly not unpopular and fares are no lower than anyone else... I've no question over the profitability of STN long-haul for them. I think it's more a case it's impacted too much on their LGW operation which will always be the jewel in the crown for them.