Leeds Bradford: Planned Ad-Hoc Charter flights

[lbaspotter]

I count 24 per week not 21 as stated above

They were upto 24x weekly flights originally announced for sumer 2019 a few months ago, that was before the recent cuts started showing as it's now stands at 21x weekly flights.

TUi Holidays = -1 DLM
TCX Holidays = -1 AYT + -1 DLM

That is of course unless if you know something extra/different which isn't listed on my revised updated list?

 

[Aviador]

I don't see what the beef is here. Prior to about 2002 we had something like 50-55 IT flights a week. There are 21 on the above list, but significantly more with Jet2 as they offer IT as well as just flight only. They threw away their low-cost has some time ago and now offer a wide range of products including city breaks, specialist short breaks such as Keflavik and New York, as well as catering for the seat only market, which is important for those who use villas + ex-pats etc. You could argue we have around 200 IT flights a week!!

Without a doubt LBA is very lucky to have such an fantastic line-up of flights provided by Jet2.com. Like you say Jet2 aren't a low cost airline brand anymore although the media still often portrait them as one comparing them with the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair. The point I was trying to make in my previous post was that as lucky as we are to have Jet2, people have a strong desire for choice and they want to shop around for the best deals. Generally the public don't have any qualms about using an alternative airport if they can find a better deal. I want the choice to be from my local airport, not by having to look at deals from an alternative airport.

 

[LBA8098]

They were upto 24x weekly flights originally announced for sumer 2019 a few months ago, that was before the recent cuts started showing as it's now stands at 21x weekly flights.

TUi Holidays = -1 DLM
TCX Holidays = -1 AYT + -1 DLM

That is of course unless if you know something extra/different which isn't listed on my revised updated list?

Hi LBASpotter just referring to your list posted yesterday which shows 24 weekly services unless I'm missing something??

 

[lbaspotter]

Hi LBASpotter just referring to your list posted yesterday which shows 24 weekly services unless I'm missing something??

The is only 21x weekly flights on that listed I posted yesterday. I'll repost list below again to prove it.

Mondays
01/ TOM3172 = LBA 06:10 – IBZ 09:50 / TOM3173 = IBZ 18:30 – LBA 20:10
02/ AEA217 = LBA 15:30 – PMI 19:05 / AEA218 = PMI 13:00 – LBA 14:40
03/ TOM3156 = LBA 21:40 – CFU 03:05 / TOM3157 = CFU 04:05 – LBA 05:35
04/ FHY672 = LBA 19:45 – DLM 01:45 / FHY671 = DLM 16:25 – LBA 18:45
Tuesdays
05/ TOM3250 = LBA 08:05 – PMI 11:45 / TOM3251 = PMI 20:30 – LBA 22:15
06/ LBT----- = LBA 19:30 – NBE 22:50 / LBT----- = NBE 15:15 – LBA 18:30
Wednesdays
07/ TOM3384 = LBA 06:15 – PMI 09:55 / TOM3385 = PMI 10:55 – LBA 12:40
08/ TOM3338 = LBA 13:55 – PFO 20:35 / TOM3339 = PFO 21:50 – LBA 00:50
Thursdays
09/ TOM3490 = LBA 06:20 – DBV 10:10 / TOM3491 = DBV 11:10 – LBA 13:15
10/ LAV6476 = LBA 10:45 – PMI 14:35 / LAV6475 = PMI 08:00 – LBA 09:55
11/ TOM3404 = LBA 14:35 – BOJ 20:05 / TOM3405 = BOJ 21:20 – LBA 22:50
Fridays
12/ TOM3550 = LBA 08:25 – CFU 13:50 / TOM3551 = CFU 15:00 – LBA 16:30
13/ TOM3506 = LBA 17:50 – MAH 21:20 / TOM3507 = MAH 22:20 – LBA 23:50
14/ FHY678= LBA 20:55 – AYT 03:05 / FHY677 = AYT 17:25 – LBA 19:55
Saturdays
15/ TOM3618 = LBA 07:50 – PMI 11:30 / TOM3619 = PMI 12:30 – LBA 14:15
16/ BEE9225 = LBA 12:25 – INN 15:30 / BEE9226 = INN 10:30 – LBA 11:35
17/ NOS6833 = LBA 13:10 – VRN 16:30 / NOS6832 = VRN 10:50 – LBA 12:20
18/ TOM3646 = LBA 15:25 – RHO 21:35 / TOM3647 = RHO 22:35 – LBA 01:05
19/ BGH5560 = LBA 17:55 – BOJ 23:20 / BGH5559 = BOJ 15:20 – LBA 16:55
Sundays
20/ TOM3762 = LBA 07:00 – PMI 10:40 / TOM3763 = PMI 11:55 – LBA 13:40
21/ TOM368 = LBA 15:05 – AYT 21:15 / TOM369 = AYT 22:15 – LBA 00:40

 

[White Heather]

We all call Jet2 prices such as 'eyewatering' but it isn't so long ago that flying by air was truly far more expensive than even Jet2 charge today. I well remember paying a four figure sum for my family (2 adults, 2 children) to fly to Malaga and back on a Britannia flight. Book early enough now and even with Jet2, it is possible to significantly undercut that. We were, I fear, all spoiled by the era of ultra low fares so now consider flying expensive. I still think of it as much cheaper than it was.

I do think that the offering next year by other operators is disappointing although it will be nice to see some different airlines for a change. It isn't helped by the fact that Thomas Cook are still unable to secure their usual leased in aircraft (apparently the deal that made them unavailable was for 2 years), so they cannot allocate aircraft for an LBA base (or LTN) as they originally announced in the wake of the Monarch collapse. To be frank though, as it is, I don't think LBA's terminal could cope with any more, so perhaps it is a blessing in disguise, particularly as during next summer there is every chance that LBA could have the appearance of a building site. At least by 2020, the planned terminal extension might be completed and capacity could be greater as a result, particularly for inbound passengers who have been short-changed now for years. Perhaps by then Thomas Cook might be able to make a better offering although I think both they and TUi will have to be patient if they wish to reclaim some of the losses incurred when they walked away from LBA in the past. And first, both will have to show some commitment - neither are doing so really at the moment.

 

[Bob101]

All depends on your point of view. They aren't claiming to be the cheapest. And whilst there may be cheaper options available to some destinations, some people, myself included, are happy to pay a bit more if flight times are better and service is better (friendly). They also seem to have no problem with demand from Leeds which means the cheapest fares are gone pretty much as soon as the flights are bookable. It is pretty clear aren't in the business of competing with Ryanair these days but are addressing a different area of the travel market.

 

[Seasider]

If you are flexible with dates and time of travel you can still get low fares with Jet2.
Looking at Barcelona next March, you could get a return flight for under £80 and when I recently booked a holiday in the Algarve with them, I saved £40 pp by flying out in the afternoon rather than the morning. If you want to be "on the beach" the day you travel or get up in the middle of the night (I live 2hrs drive from LBA) then pay an extra £80 for the pleasure. Not for me.

 

[airforced]

A bit hypocritical having 'Friendly Low fares' plastered over the fuselage don't you think?

I would suggest that it isn't just misleading as you say Offint but a downright mis-representation. Whilst once upon a time this slogan could and would have been accurate but this has long been wildly inaccurate except for those who are fortunate enough to be able to plan a long way in advance.

For the majority this piece of advertising is no longer true. I use Jet2 frequently and pay their inflated prices (including all the add on charges that bump up the total) because I am not willing to head over the hill to MAN if a service to a destination I want to travel to is available from LBA. Those who do the same as me are being taken for a ride by Jet2 in many instances by their lethargy but it doesn't endear Jet2 to them.

I'm sure they could grow their business from Leeds even more if they adopted a more pragmatic and less greedy approach. But now I'm just hoping and dreaming as it is unlikely to happen. I do however explore the alternatives before booking now whereas once upon a time I wouldn't even have considered doing so.

 

[paully]

Their business plan has clearly changed into primarily a package holiday company. Following the same as Tui/Thomas Cook..Their seat only prices are high. The business plan being to ensure a plentiful supply of seats for package customers. At the last minute, even on popular routes they sell off the last few seats at a good discount. But not otherwise. This is exactly the same as the other 2 providers.

There was a bit of juggling in the past before Monarch collapsed, keeping a balance between seat only and package. But with so much capacity on the popular routes not being replaced, the business plan flexibility came into play and we are where we are.

The market also changes and evolves, who knows what a great summer in the UK and Europe will do to holiday plans, next year. Airports are operating at beyond their capabilities at peak times. I`m just amazed that people like P & O and Brittany and Eurotunnel haven`t really pushed their hassle free way of travel..Jet2 have shown their business plan to be fluid and dynamic, whilst presently riding the crest of the wave. They might be tested, sooner than they think

 

[Seasider]

Yesterday I was looking to book a flight to Malaga in January. There were several dates, days and length of stay available at £75 return. Now I call that "cheap and friendly". 🙂

 

[Deleted member 82]

Whether they are cheap or friendly is subjective and no doubt based on individual previous experience. What I would prefer is that the price I see will be the price I pay, so include checking in, hand baggage etc in the price shown- it would then be transparent. Clear and transparent is more likely to suggest you can trust the product, and trusted products tend to generate repeat business. I will be using them in December, so I suppose the LBA convenience and my past experience is why I will pay that bit extra to use them.

 

[Finger66]

There are so many factors that are taken into account when choosing a flight. Yes of course Price does play a major part but everyone's individual requests are different. Some may want to, or may have to, be somewhere at a certain time. Some people just will or won't fly with certain airlines. Offerings from alternative airports may not be any better. Convenience of a local departure matters. Whatever the reasons all we do know is that Jet2 have successfully grown over the years so they are doing something right and therefore can't be critical of their pricing structure. They also now sell millions of package holidays thus removing some of their seat only reliance. And as has been said before, would LBA be where it is today without Jet2 - I suspect not.

 

[lbaspotter]

I understand that Titan Airways have now confirmed they will be using either Boeing 757-200 or Airbus A321 aircraft for the Superbreak Iceland ad-hoc charter flights this winter 2018/19 season.

MON, Dec 31st = ZT8991 ETD 07:45 to Akureyri
FRI, Jan 4th = ZT8992 ETA 18:05 fm Akureyri
FRI, Feb 15th = ZT8991 ETD 11:45 to Akureyri
MON, Feb 18th = ZT8992 ETA 18:05 fm Akureyri

 

[lbaspotter]

The summer 2019 charter flights programme is shaping up to be the worst one I can remember for LBA. We now have just 10x weekly flights on sale between TUi, Thomas Cook, Balkan Holidays & Inghams Holidays.

Mondays
AEA218 = PMI 13:00 – LBA 14:40 / AEA217 = LBA 15:30 – PMI 19:05
FHY671 = DLM 16:25 – LBA 18:45 / FHY672 = LBA 19:45 – DLM 01:45
Tuesdays
TOM3251 = PMI 12:45 - LBA 14:30 / TOM3520 = LBA 15:50 - PMI 19:30
LBT----- = NBE 15:15 – LBA 18:30 / LBT----- = LBA 19:30 – NBE 22:50
Fridays
TOM3551 = CFU 12:30 - LBA 14:00 / TOM3550 = LBA 15:35 - CFU 21:00
FHY677 = AYT 17:25 – LBA 19:55 / FHY678 = LBA 20:55 – AYT 03:05
Saturdays
BEE9226 = INN 10:30 – LBA 11:35 / BEE9225 = LBA 12:25 – INN 15:30
NOS6832 = VRN 10:30 - LBA 13:50 / NOS6833 = LBA 14:40 - VRN 15:50
TOM3619 = PMI 11:35 - LBA 13:20 / TOM3618 = LBA 14:30 - PMI 18:10
BGH5559 = BOJ 15:20 – LBA 16:55 / BGH5560 = LBA 17:55 – BOJ 23:20

AEA = Air Europa
BEE = Flybe.com
BGH = Balkan Holidays Air
FHY = Freebird
LBT = Nouvelair Tunisie
NOS = Neos Air
TOM = TUi Airways UK

 

[mdobuk21]

wow, when its typed up it looks bleak! hopefully someone else will step in? For us enthusiasts/photographers apart from the free bird/Nouvelair its going to be fairly quiet! (i think the NEOS are TUI livery?)

 

[oldendays]

A very poor showing from TUI. Some years, they have a LBA base (of sorts), some years, they don't. Wish they would make up their minds once and for all.

 

[Aviador]

And before somebody rambles on about how it doesn't really matter because we have Jet2 covering nearly all the routes, the sad factor of the matter is so do most other airports but they have a good charter offering to complement that.

 

[White Heather]

And before somebody rambles on about how it doesn't really matter because we have Jet2 covering nearly all the routes, the sad factor of the matter is so do most other airports but they have a good charter offering to complement that.

That is pretty much the point I have made in my email to LBA. Yes, it is fantastic to have Jet2 based at LBA and doing so well, and in Jet2 Holidays we have the biggest range of inclusive tour offerings ever from LBA. However, we are heading in the direction of a monopoly situation at LBA - and that is something that clearly isn't the position at the majority of other UK airports where they have still kept their offering from TUi, and Thomas Cook. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Brexit will be part of the explanation - it was stated last week that many passengers are reluctant to book their holidays at the moment until the Brexit situation is clarified. If that is the case, it is easy to imagine TUi axing routes that are not operated from their main bases on their own equipment, and consolidating. That is something they have done many times in the past from LBA. They have always been a one step forward and two step back carrier as far as LBA is concerned.

 

[Finger66]

Jet2 monopoly or not, does anyone think that TUI and all other tour operators/airlines would be offering the range of frequency and destinations that Jet2 do? I for one certainly don't. That all said I am just as disappointed as anyone to see this TUI cut back. But equally what is the news coming out of Downing Street this evening........we are almost talking ourselves into a holiday recession before we know it. In fact we could talk ourselves in to more than just a holiday recession! Let's hope tonight's news, whilst not going to force a U turn on TUIs point of view, it may just encourage someone to take up the slack, and maybe we get this other announcement we are all waiting for..........

 

[a300boy]

Any positive news would be welcome !
Let’s hope for all the people on this forum with the same aspirations for little Lba it comes sooner rather than later.