ThomsonFly & Coventry Information Please
 

I know that there is already a thread which is about ThomsonFly however as it is about an airline called "Britannia Express" and most of it is debating the old "is it CVT isnt it" issue, I thought I would post my queries in a new conversation, and thought people close to ThomsonFly or people good with gossip can help with the following questions:

1) Why has ThomsonFly started ops with the 737-500?
Does it not make sense to use aircraft types already flown by in the TUI fleet? Like the 737-700 flown by HLX or the 737-800 the current smallest aircraft in the mainline TUI carriers. Also how many?

2) Does anybody know anything about the layout and the facilities that will be offered to passengers out of CVT? Does anybody know anything about how many stands, check in desks, baggage belts etc. the new terminal will have?

Thanks! :ok:

Most of us also want to know.

For 4 aircraft that equates to 131 x 4 = 524 potential passengers checking in for the early morning departures.

That means:
Plenty of check-in facilities.
Car parks.
Eating facilities.
Baggage handlers.
Security.
Customs.
Shops.
Tugs.
Steps.
Agent Staff.
Taxi's.
Buses.
Etc.

500's can operate most of the time from Coventry. Who will maintain and cover planned outages?

All,

Check out the airport website, it only has artists impressions (which can be misleading to say the least), but this is pretty accurate anyway.

www.coventry-airport.co.uk

Also, admittedly, it doesn't say how many baggage belts there will be but in time I'm sure there'll be enough to go around!!

LM

Remember, the artists impression is of the proposed terminal which doesn't yet have planning permission.

I think the one to be in use at the end of March consists of temporary buildings and the new freight shed.

Does Coventry have a bank machine? :}

GrahamK (from Scotland) -

I will probably be fired for disclosing this, but secret plans exist to bus passengers to a remote cash-point in Coventry City Centre. The identity of the Bank providing this service must remain a closely-guarded secret.
I can also divulge that, if the Thomsonfly operation is a success, a cash machine will be provided for the exclusive use of passengers. A major re-design of the terminal hut will be necessary, so that the said machine is not sited too close to the cardboard walls.

lsg - very funny. 10 out of 10.

have a look at this which tells you about Coventry and the ''interim passenger facility''.

One wonders if this will be the end of the spectacular periodic airshows of old airliners that Air Atlantique put on at Coventry, like the one last June.

Always remember a few years ago an old Nord Noratlas had been parked in front of the commentary position. When it fired up its big P&W radials for its turn in the show all the commentary kit was blown into a corner !!

Oh, and regarding planning permission for the terminal you need permission for demountable buildings just as much as for the architect's final proposal.

WHBM
P&W Radials? on a Noratlas I don't think so!

Coventry - Thomsonfly
 

"Terminal" will be a temporary port-a-cabin on the cargo side - very nice...I hear the airport will employ new staff for check in. Only problem is that they haven't started recruiting yet. With training and new disclosure formalities how can they be ready for 31st March? Firemen will double as baggage handlers...what happens if they are called to an incident, the airport grinds to a halt? Seems to me as no-one wants to spend money again...

Car parking will be an issue - someones has the sums wrong at Cov. 4 flights x 130 pax = 520 pax each day. Lets say 300 cars to allow for families. Say they stay away for a week. By the time the original passengers return 7 days later there will be 2100 cars in the car park.....

Problem is the planned car park will only have 1200 spaces. Suggest you get the train!

Coventry will do what Luton does to control limited parking availability. Just charge an excessive amount of money to put some motorists off and persuade them to get a lift to the airport. Anyway I doubt that Thomsonfly will attract many passengers. It will all end in tears after just one season.:{ :{ :{

Coventry - Thomsonfly
 

The carparks at Coventry are only planned to be 680 spaces, not 1,200, so the price will have will be incredible for the highly sought after spaces.

I wonder if the firemen/baggage handlers will also be the security staff. If so , i think their goinna be busy, as the the current fencing etc is barely existant.

Does anyone know any more about the safety rumours of the deal to fly 737's on the current short runway (1825 M) with Tollbar traffic Island at the end? Its rumoured the Thomson safety guys had real concerns.

Is it just a rumour that the planning approval for the terminal building has been delayed?

"This application will not go before the Planning Committee until we have resolved issues of uncertainty and addressed your questions. All your comments will be considered by the Members of the Planning Committee prior to them determining this application"
Full report here plus downloads http://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/pls/wdc/...in_sec_id=1318

From ABTN:

COVENTRY AIRPORT’S new passenger facility is now well under way with the main structure in place and ready to move towards fitting out. The car park has been levelled. Arriving and departing passengers will be kept completely separate which should make for very easy transit. The facility is on the opposite side of the Air Atlantique Group’s existing Baginton headquarters and are signposted as Coventry Airport South. ThomsonFly.com say that bookings for their new operation are already above expectations with the first flight to Palma Mallorca due 29 March.

Coventry - Thomsonfly
 

New terminal is not 'well under way'. They are stalled, awaiting the planning decision and are being investigated to see if the works already started with the portakabins etc. are permitted development.

All the heavy machinery hasn't been seen for weeks - something must be up.

It seems this summer will be with Portakabins and dirt tracks. Gonna be an interesting start-up for Thomsonfly.

Can you get the 737 a/c up and down safely on the existing runways (05- 1835 M / 23-1605 M) without RESA's etc?

Portakabin terminal, that will be really low cost!

An eventful March 29th I think!

I understand work to replace the entire CVT runway commences 12.01.04 but i've heard nothing on the terminal and parking. I think passengers are expected to depart and arrive by taxi!:p

This subject is new to me but it seems that the delay in the terminal planning application being heard suggests it will go to a public inquiry. That could drag on and on..............

If they're starting resurfacing, will they sneak in new starter strips (which isn't allowed under permitted development)? Just what is the declared distance anyway?