Bristol: TUI Airways Route News & Base Updates

[TheLocalYokel]

Today's Cancun went via MAN, tweet from passenger to TUI stating due to rain/wet runway aircraft could not take on sufficient fuel to go direct. Incidentally runway 09 was in use, so I don't know whether this would have also impacted the fuel situation.

I believe the TORA on 09 is 1978 metres and on 27 1938 metres. To a layman like me it suggests more runway available for take-off on 09 but if that is the case and to what degree I shall have to leave to those qualified in the subject (unlike me) to determine.

 

[Severn]

It's a pity tui did not use their imagination and just find a route or two to occupy the Dreamliner on Sundays and Mondays. Seems a shame to lose punta Cana. It could have easily filled a Monday slot and give another Orlando a go on Sundays.

TUIs 11x 787s are based between many UK airports and their flying schedules are always maxed out. The fact it is not being used from BRS on Sundays and Mondays in 2019 is because it will be operating from EMA to SFB & CUN.

Heres the maths: 11x 787s each flying every day in a week would give a total of 77 operational days in a week.
In 2017, these 11x aircraft operated on 76 out of 77 possible days in the first week of August meaning there was only one day a week where a 787 was sitting round on the ground doing nothing.
In 2018 and 2019 the 11x aircraft will operate on 75 out of 77 possible days in the first week of August.
The below will show how these 787s are being used. The numbers represent how many days of flying the 787s work in the first week of August for each given year.

London Gatwick
2017: 35 days in a week (thats 5 based aircraft operating every day)
2018: 34
2019: 33

Manchester
2017: 23
2018: 22
2019: 21

Birmingham
2017: 6
2018: 7
2019: 7

Bristol
2017: 2
2018: 4
2019: 5

Glasgow
2017: 2* (2x extra CUNs operate every other week (alternates with NCL) on top of the usual 1x weekly SFB & CUN.)
2018: 4* (2x extra CUNs operate every other week (alternates with NCL) on top of the usual 1x weekly SFB & CUN.)
2019: 4* (2x extra CUNs operate every other week (alternates with NCL) on top of the usual 1x weekly SFB & CUN.)

Newcastle
2017: 4* (2x extra CUNs operate every other week (alternates with GLA) on top of the usual 1x weekly SFB & CUN.)
2018: 2* (2x extra CUNs operate every other week (alternates with GLA) on top of the usual 1x weekly SFB & CUN.)
2019: 2* (2x extra CUNs operate every other week (alternates with GLA) on top of the usual 1x weekly SFB & CUN.)

East Midlands
2017: 2
2018: 2
2019: 2

Doncaster Sheffield
2017: X
2018: X
2019: 1

London Stansted
2017: 2
2018: X
2019: X

As you can see, the growth at BRS has been at the expense of Longhaul from STN as well as a reduction in MAN!
It also shows it is unlikely we will see any more long haul announcements for 2019.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks for that, Severn. It paints a comprehensive picture and puts things into perspective. I suppose the obvious question is with such intensive use what do they do when tech aircraft come along?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Great analysis Severn.
Does this include the short haul configured aircraft? I think it's one, not sure on the reg. When G-TUIM is delivered there will be 12 in the fleet. Not including G-TUIG that has left for Belgium.
I'm guessing the -900's will be at MAN or LGW. With more focus on the regions it probably explains the reduction in the biggest bases as people are flying more local.

 

[Severn]

Great analysis Severn.
Does this include the short haul configured aircraft? I think it's one, not sure on the reg. When G-TUIM is delivered there will be 12 in the fleet. Not including G-TUIG that has left for Belgium.
I'm guessing the -900's will be at MAN or LGW. With more focus on the regions it probably explains the reduction in the biggest bases as people are flying more local.

I don't think any are SH configured any more? I may be wrong. They currently seem to all be LH configured but this may change before the start of the Summer season in May though?

The numbers I posted above fit 11x aircraft operating SH and LH routes so would include any that are configured for SH too.

TUIG as you said has left the fleet, and therefore the forth 787-900 will make the fleet 12x aircraft in that case. Not sure whether this will mean one 787 will be used elsewhere in the TUI group for the summer, or whether it'll be a standby aircraft.

Either way, the schedules require 11x aircraft operating this year and next.

Just in case of interest, next year at MAN for example there will be 3x 787s required every day. 2x 787s will operate LH each day and 1x 787 will operate two SH routes each day.
LGW will require 5x 787s based. Everyday except Tuesdays 3x 787s are used on LH and the rest on SH or standby.

In 2019 the 787 fleet will be operating 40x SH flights to 18 destinations each week from the from the following UK bases:
LGW (23), MAN (14) and BRS (3)

Spain - (12)

ALC - MAN (1)
-------
MAH - LGW (1), MAN (3)
PMI - LGW (2), MAN (1)
-------
IBZ - LGW (1)
LPA - MAN (2)
TFS - LGW (1)​

Greece - (7)

KGS - LGW (3)
RHO - LGW (2)
CHQ - LGW (1)
HER - MAN (1)​

Croatia - (6)

DBV - LGW (2), MAN (2), BRS (1)
PUY - LGW (1)​

Cape Verde - (5)

SID - LGW (2), MAN (2), BRS (1)​

Turkey - (3)

AYT - LGW (3)​

Bulgaria - (3)

BOJ - LGW (1), MAN (2)​

Cyprus -(2)

LCA - BRS (1)
PFO - LGW (1)​

Italy - (2)

NAP - LGW (2)​

 

[Jerry]

I've seen a post elsewhere saying that at least 1 767 will be based at MAN and one of the routes it's operating is Rhodes.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

I don't think they have a standby 787 aircraft as such. I think they utilise the LH aircraft as much as possible, then sub it for a SH 787 if needed (previously), which can be covered by swapping things around within the fleet, possibly having a 767 on standby which is more adaptable to cover both SH and even LH. With 767 G-OBYK joining the fleet that may cover the previous SH 787 which may have been reconfigured to cover for G-TUIG leaving.
Capacity of each aircraft;
787-900 - 345 seats
787-800 - 300 seats
767-300 - 328 seats (all econ)
757-200 - 221 seats
737-800 - 189 seats

 

[superking]

Did the 787 do the LCA rotation yesterday <sunday>.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Did the 787 do the LCA rotation yesterday <sunday>.

No it was a 757. The 787 is not due to operate Larnaca until summer 2019.

 

[forest1979]

TUIs 11x 787s are based between many UK airports and their flying schedules are always maxed out. The fact it is not being used from BRS on Sundays and Mondays in 2019 is because it will be operating from EMA to SFB & CUN.
QUOTE]
Interesting read, thanks.... Out of interest, how does this translate to scope for winter LH options?

 

[forest1979]

Interesting read, thanks.... Out of interest, how does this translate to scope for winter LH options?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

FR24 is showing TOM650 (the 1000 hours BRS-CUN) as diverting to MAN again. It departed MAN for CUN a few minutes ago.

I wonder now whether this is going to happen every week. It did for several years when the 767 operated the route and TUI seemed content. Some passengers might not be so impressed though given it adds at least an hour to the flight and the return can also be delayed as a result of the outbound MAN fuel stop.

 

[Jerry]

I wonder now whether this is going to happen every week.

Guessing it depends on the winds and TUI must be pretty happy to do it as they've increased to 2 weekly for S19.

 

[Jerry]

Today's Cancun has gone via Manchester. Anyone know if they will put cargo on at MAN as well as fuel?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Probably not as it would be booked to go on a specific flight before hand. These flights are never are preplanned to go via MAN so would be too short notice.

 

[superking]

I'm sure main reason was flight crew change.Holiday charters don't take much if any freight as belly not far off full with luggage etc.

 

[Jerry]

Just seen a post elsewhere saying that BRS will be all 737 from May 2019.

 

[Marko1]

Just seen a post elsewhere saying that BRS will be all 737 from May 2019.

If that is the case will they base no5 because otherwise that will be a drop in capacity on a number of routes

 

[Jerry]

If that is the case will they base no5 because otherwise that will be a drop in capacity on a number of routes

The post doesn't say. I asked how many. It's on Bristol Airport Spotters Facebook page.

 

[Jerry]

It does depend if TUI have the aircraft to replace and expand considering they are expanding at other airports as well.