Obviously, there are preconceptions here as to what a travel agent is - and there is now clearly a difference in what that role entails. Traditionally it was an outlet to sell prepackaged holidays, or what you would describe as a traditional ‘package holiday’. Its fair to say that a lot of that market has moved online - but there are areas where travel agents add value.

There is also a difference between a retail shop owned by a multiple such as TUI or Thomas Cook (or Kuoni or Virgin), where there is a desire to sell their own product. However, until only recently Thomas Cook has sold other tour operators as well. Neither are really travel agents any more, but representatives to booking their own packages.

The real travel agents are the independents - either with a high street presence, or homeworkers. Its fair to say that the market for them is heading towards higher end, more complex travel arrangements which can be difficult for ‘normal’ people to book, or value the advise of a travel professional. Jet2 have been very supportive of Indy agents, and have already committed even further resources to growing that market - something Thomas Cook has started moving away from.

Regarding the two shops - yes, I think Thomas Cook and TUI have said where there is a duplication they wouldn’t be renewing leases - but this is a hangover from the First Choice/Thomson and Thomas Cook/Airtours mergers which duplicated shores in towns.

I would even contemplate a renaming. Maybe there should be a separate brand for what you are describing and the Thomas Cook brand retained for what is now called 'Signature' and Tours - where the Thomas Cook name has some kudos.

Wasn't the concept of seat only flying a failure as tried by My travel (lite).
Thomson tried it with Thomsonfly and it didn't last. They only have a small amount of seat only flights now that compliment the holiday flying.
I think that part of the issue for the Airline, Are they a holiday carrier or a scheduled carrier? No-one really knows for sure. Granted Jet2 are both but they are a fairly new and original brand in comparison to the many different brands that have come to create TUI and Thomas Cook. They probably have lower historical overheads as well.
Some of their long haul routes to the USA, Are they holiday flights, Are they scheduled flights? Who is their target market? Would people think Thomas Cook when comparing the like of VS and BA?
They may have to submit to using other carriers on the shorter routes and reduce short haul flying, unless they can break new short haul holiday destinations to supplement mid haul flying.

Thomas Cook certainly need to evolve as a tour operator. TUI have and have become much more engaging with its customers. They were once the one that was behind everyone else, now they are pushing ahead of most.

Worth noting that the UK CEO has departed this morning - to be replaced by a returning Chris Mottershead.

Maybe because they were waiting for leases to expire?

Generally I would agree however I have a relative that works in a City Centre branch of TC with another one literally a 30 second walk away, she says both branches are profitable and strangely have different customer bases.

I suppose if the demand is there are it's more cost effective to operate 2 branches then go for it. I suppose consolidating into a single retail space might make sense but then the larger the space the more expensive rates can be, so 2 smaller spaces relatively close together might overall be cheaper and still bring in the same revenue.

It's all a balancing act

You miss the point entirely. Only a handful of the fleet has the new First Suite, serving Geneva, Brussels and London.

One might take from this move that EK hold STN in the same regard as LHR; as an important capital city airport.

Agreed the point missed by Smooth Airperator entirely...

STN is one of only 7 destinations in the entire Emirates network that receives the new First Suite on the newly delivered B773`s.

It may have appeared to be "a uniquely funny quip" but again perhaps illustrates the eyes closed/fingers in ears approach toward STN.

Funny, I thought this was the Thomas Cook thread, not the willy-waving Stansted fanboys thread.

There's a reason TUI, Thomas Cook and virtually every other airline has stopped their long haul service from the airport. Because it's awful.

Condor's D-ATCD operated MT1373 TFS-NCL tonight is this a one off or is Condor picking up some TCX work this winter.

Vokes55...

Deary me...It does not require the satisfaction of acknowledgement but.....The use of hackneyed phrases/description & non substantive views do nothing for credibility.

Well your whole tangent about Stansted is based on personal opinion rather than fact, so why change the tone?

Thanks for the nibble though.

All have opinion but fact based as far as we can ascertain is desirable too of course...you fail to engage then with phrasing & framing of some posts it appears...

Jethros reporting TCX have acquired another A330-200 from Avianca to be registered G-TCXD, which I assume is to replace G-VYGM which is not returning next summer?

According to Air Tankers Website, this would be the case, they only have until Nov 18 on record for TCX, and nothing for 2019 (confirmed at present for 2019 is the year-round G-VYGK and Jet2 on G-VYGL, a repeat of 2018) Anyone else got info on where GM is going?