Apparently getting their hands on an ex-Avianca A330. Wonder if the 2 monarch A330's will find homes again, or perhaps end up in the scrappers? After all, that was the fate that met an ex-BMI A330.


I wonder if they have any plans to release the MAN-LAX flights, especially as seen as MAN to Boston and Los Angeles were appearing on radio adverts.

Thomas Cook Manchester Expansion

Looking at Thomas Cook schedules it appears they are expanding short haul operations from MAN next summer. Haven't looked at other bases yet.

- Lanzarote 3-4 weekly - New Tuesday
- Antalya 4-7 weekly - New Tuesday/Wed/Fri
- Hurghada 2-3 weekly - New Saturday
- Larnaca 2-4 weekly - New Monday/Fri
- Enfidha/Monastir 6 weekly
- Sharm el Sheik 2-4 weekly - New Monday/Sat
- Palma Daily - Some Condor although most MAN based A/C
- Santorini 1-2 weekly - New Saturday
- Mahon 3-5 weekly
- Skiathos 1-2 weekly - New Friday
- Corfu 2-3 weekly - New Sunday
- Varna 1 weekly NEW
- Faro 1 weekly NEW

Plus all the new long haul increases to Cancun/Orlando/Las Vegas and new JFK/Miami.

- Reno for LGW for winter 2015/2016

They are also leasing 5 A320 rather than the 3 they had this year presumably from Smartlynx/Avion Express
- 1 at BHX and 1 at MAN

LGW and MAN Bases...
 

Please forgive me if this has already been discussed, as I only dip in and out of the TCX forum, but can anyone quickly explain the basis of all the major expansion by the airline from Manchester?

The new routes being announced or increased frequencies, are these already operating at a similar frequency from Gatwick?

I am just a little confused, because I would have thought the airline would want to operate the same routes from a base in the south of England too, to provide access to passengers from both parts of the country to these destinations.

There might be slight variations, but I have always noticed in the past holiday airlines operate almost identical bases from both Gatwick and Manchester, to provide a main gateway airport to all destination in both the North and South of England. This is especially applicable on niche routes where smaller regional UK airports cannot support a route to a small island or lessor known tourist destination.

What length of lease for the A320's anyone know? I'm guessing that will determine the paint job!

It is evidence of Thomas Cook Airlines attempting to establish itself as an autonomous airline using MAN as a hub, rather than being just the transport dept. for the tour operator.

Hi
In regard to the A320 question these will be on a 6/7month lease from smartlynx ,avion etc.

Indeed they will !

Im not sure im seeing evidence of an autonomous airline any more than previously- all the new routes are tied to Thomas Cook Holidays, lots of the long haul routes are cruise orientated or holiday citybreak marketed with any left overs sold as seat only. Reno for example is not exactly an tour operator unlinked scheduled operation.

I'm not sure if it's true but I think they will come to TCX.

Airbus deliveries 2015
 

Good afternoon everyone!

I just read that Condor will receive an additional B767 from Jetairfly (their last remaining one) and up to 4 new A321 until June 15'. Is that true?
Does anyone how many Airbus will be delivered to Thomas Cook next year?


Condor Newsroom - Condor auf Wachstumskurs: Zusätzliches Langstreckenflugzeug im Sommer
German only-sorry

regards
flyhigh

Thomas Cook Gatwick Expansion

Further to my previous post, looking at Thomas Cook schedules it appears they are also expanding short haul operations from LGW next summer. The below flights are not loaded yet but the increases are there from the timetable. Looks like a matter of time before times will be added:

- Sunday (New Palma and Sharm el Sheik)
- Monday (New Burgas)
- Tuesday (New Sharm el Sheik and Enfidha)
- Wednesday (New Palma and Corfu)
- Thursday (New Kefalonia)
- Friday (New Skiathos and Ibiza)
- Saturday (New Hurghada and Menorca)

Other changes, Saturday Rhodes to be operated by Germania and already loaded are the new Mytilene flights to replace Monarch charter.

Will continue with other bases.

Hoping there's more for NCL?

Our Hurghada, Santorini and Varna have already been announced

CabinCrewe

A fair observation. But the establishment of TCX as an 'almost' stand alone organisation, like Condor, is the stated aim of Mr. Debus and his colleagues.

Looking back wasn't it the aim of a past MD of MYT (a looong way back) to run MYT as an independent airline? However, when the subject was brought up at board level he was told to clear his desk.

...and saw what happened when they attempted pure airline work with My Travel Lite...

It's risky, but at least there's a plan which I don't think existed for years at TCX

Thomas Cook Other Bases Expansion

Not too much expansion from other bases. Of note are posted below and some are again loaded into the timetable but not on sale yet:

Birmingham:

Sunday - Palma
Tuesday - Menorca
Wednesday - Palma and Sharm el Sheik
Thursday - Almeria
Saturday - Ibiza

(The above are listed in the BHX timetable)

If you read this article through it details new routes and increased frequency from BHX;


Thomas Cook to expand and renew fleet at Birmingham Airport - Birmingham Post

Lurkio
Frank was never a man to lead an independent airline. "There's no money to be made in longhaul" was another old chestnut.

I can't foresee the future, but at least there is one at the mo.

VickersViscount
there are a fair few people who think MyLite was a a massive opportunity lost by short sighted management. Cost per seat mile was about the lowest in the industry, Load factors were good, location was good. Support and direction was useless.