Thomas Cook

[White Heather]

Lets hope on the 14th it is on time, otherwise with the airport overnight closure (to replace airfield lighting with LEDs) the TCX could end up back at MAN.

 

[lbaspotter]

Do the airport not allow some time allowance for a scheduled flight delay? I appreciate they have a job to do, but they also allowed the flight knowing there is potential for an over-run?

Not sure but the the current issued NOTAM I'd say the must be a bit of leeway for delayed scheduled flights, but not off scheduled flights eg diverts.

C5668/17: Leeds Bradford: Aerodrome hours of service
Q) EGTT/QFAAH/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5352N00140W005

CHANGE TO SUP 027/2017 (LEEDS BRADFORD AIRPORT - AERODROME OPERATING
HOURS DURING THE WINTER PERIOD 2017-2018)
CHANGE PARAGRAPH 1.3 TO READ:
02 NOVEMBER 2017 TO 24 MARCH 2018
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 2230 - 0530 UTC. OFF-SCHEDULE AIRCRAFT WILL NOT BE
ACCOMMODATED. NO AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES AVAILABLE TO TRANSITING
AIRCRAFT BETWEEN 0130 - 0230 UTC DURING AERODROME CLOSURE TIMES.
CHANGE PARAGRAPH 2 TO READ:
DURING THE AERODROME CLOSURE TIMES, (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TIMES
NOTED IN PARAGRAPHS 1.3 AND 1.4), LEEDS APPROACH WILL BE AVAILABLE
FOR NON-RADAR AIRSPACE TRANSITS. AIRCRAFT WISHING TO TRANSIT LEEDS
BRADFORD AIRSPACE SHOULD CALL ATC 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE. NO SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO AIRCRAFT
OUTSIDE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.

 

[White Heather]

At the last Consultative Meeting it was stated by LBA that any significantly late arrivals will not be accommodated. They would otherwise have contractors sitting there ready to work and unable to do so - incurring costs therefore and, more pertinently, risking an overrun for the airfield lighting works. Given these are scheduled to last 3 full winters, the last thing they need is to have to bring the contractor back for a 4th winter due to lost working time. I am sure that if a flights is just a little overdue, it will be accommodated - indeed I heard an arrival last week around 2330 - but there has to be a limit. It may be the day of the week might also impact on this - I am not sure if the lighting contractors are operating on the airfield 7 days a week or just weekdays.

 

[lbaspotter]

I don't know whats happening with Thomas Cook? Have they dropped the based aircraft plans?

It's own website wont allow bookings to be made on its planned new summer 18 based aircraft routes from Leeds/Bradford to Mahon, Tenerife, Enfidha & Cyprus Larnaca.
Meanwhile the Leeds/Bradford to Palma, Dalaman and Antalya routes are showing as having 1x flight weekly each, But these's are operated by non based Thomas Cook Airlines and Air Europa aircraft as follows:

Mondays
AEA--- = PMI 13:00 – LBA 14:40 / AEA--- = LBA 15:30 – PMI 14:00
Saturdays
MT165 = DLM 14:50 – LBA 17:20 / MT164 = LBA 18:35 – DLM 00:50
Sundays
MT169 = AYT 14:30 – LBA 17:10 / MT168 = LBA 18:25 – AYT 00:40

 

[White Heather]

If this is the case it is a disaster for LBA - and was clearly NOT known by airport management today. They were talking about what good news it is that TCX are back at LBA and have a based aircraft next summer. Only at LBA......

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I've tweeted and at first got someone who said here are the deals. When questioned why TFS was not on sale for summer despite been on sale last week her team leader/senior/experienced colleague replied with i'd have to travel over to MAN.

I then persisted with the question and even linked her the 'good news' to which i then got the usual bollocks of 'We review our flying programme, blah blah blah bore off' crap. It's a shame but i'm sure the team will go banging on TUI or Jet2's door for more out of LBA. I'd rather have TUI (who've been committed for 2/3 seasons) with an extra unit then TCX if i'm been honest. TCX used to de-risk the Monarch flying programme out of LBIA as they look allocations so it's not like were loosing much. It will be TCX who loose Yorkshire custom.

PS - Is it any surprise that TCX are the 3rd largest tour operator now?

 

[Finger66]

We have been here before - countless times. This will be the final nail in TCX's Yorkshire coffin. Jet2 and TUI rubbing their hands with glee I suspect. But this will contribute to a drop below 4m for 2018 unfortunately. That said, would rather keep those operators that commit and not those that make false promises!

 

[lbaspotter]

I've tweeted and at first got someone who said here are the deals. When questioned why TFS was not on sale for summer despite been on sale last week her team leader/senior/experienced colleague replied with i'd have to travel over to MAN.

I then persisted with the question and even linked her the 'good news' to which i then got the usual bollocks of 'We review our flying programme, blah blah blah bore off' crap.

I've just got same kind of reply on twitter as well. See below.

View attachment 7003

 

[Gray Ham]

A few months ago, before the demise of Monarch, these columns were full of comments about the need for expansion at the airport to be effected by non-based a/c, because of the shortage of overnight stands and to better utilise the airport at quieter times. Supposing, just supposing, TC maintain their entire S18 programme using such non-based a/c, could this not be a significant advantage to LBA and the travelling public, rather than loss of a based a/c being a disaster. Key question, of course, is whether TC is planning to decimate its operations from LBA. No doubt this will be clarified sooner rather than later but hard not to fear the worst.

 

[User001]

It may be a temporary glitch as the MT timetable shows just AYT and DLM for LBA and AYT/BJV/DLM for LTN after such big fanfares?

 

[a300boy]

Normally bad news never gets an airing so don’t expect too many announcements.
Its the modern way not to do so.
My fingers are crossed that it’s not more lost business.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Theres always one good thing to come from this. Yields won't be as trashed with another competitor in the market with only TUI, Jet2 and Ryanair in the market.

 

[752]

regards TCX LBA & LTN, believe they're unable to source an aircraft to operate the routes hence the W patterns

 

[User001]

They are getting 4 A321 from the ex-Monarch fleet. So it seems they are able to source aircraft OK?

 

[752]

for their Manchester base yes, the LLBA & LTN was going to be leased AC on a ACMI.

 

[User001]

Not all of the aircraft are for the MAN base, just one. The rest was covered by a Condor swap of A321 for the B757.

I know Smartlynx are busy next year covering Easyjet, so, maybe not able to source the aircraft off them?

 

[a300boy]

The Lba nightmare continues ! Very disappointed but just our luck.

 

[lbaspotter]

Again a case of what Manchester wants it gets. While Leeds get left behind.

Like said last night Thomas Cooks loss is Tui's and Jet2s gain. Not All Yorkshire folk want to be travelling over the M62 when the is a good enough local airport on the door step.

 

[User001]

Where is there any proof that ‘MAN wants it gets’ in terms of this scenario? There is no evidence that this ‘loss’* of the LBA unit has been MAN’s gain at all?

*i say loss, there is no confirmation that that aircraft has been lost, as there was such a big fanfar around adding the LTN andLBA bases, and both seem unavailable at the moment. It could well be just a glitch.

 

[a300boy]

The lack of an aircraft to operate a base operation is being rumoured around the people who normally have knowledge as to what is going on.
I have no idea of course but the Multiflight Cafe seemed a bit miserable this morning.