The truth, commitment and being prepared are the key qualities airlines look for in setting up new relationships with airports, Wilken Bellmann, head of network development long haul, Thomas Cook - Condor told delegates at the Routes Asia 2017 Strategy Summit.
Complementing its existing operations from London’s Gatwick and Stansted airports, Thomas Cook Airlines will introduce weekly flights from Luton Airport to Ibiza, Mahon and Palma in Spain and Corfu in Greece during the summer 2017 schedule. These flights will be operated using Airbus A321 equipment which will fly in and out of the airport on a ‘W’ pattern between Fridays and Mondays.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the “unified global organisation” that unites the cruise industry, has revealed that global cruise travel is continuing to grow and evolve at a record pace. Demand for cruising has increased 68 percent in the last ten years and the industry as a whole supports a total economic impact of $119.9 billion.
The aircraft will be the fourth 777 dedicated to its Gatwick operation that is configured in a three-class arrangement. Cape Town will be one of four long-haul destinations BA is launching from Gatwick this year, with flights to Costa Rica starting on April 27, 2016 daily flights to New York’s JFK beginning on May 1, 2016 and flights to Lima, Peru commencing on May 4, 2016.
The new flight will bring additional capacity into a market now controlled by British Airways after Virgin Atlantic Airways ended its own non-stop flights earlier this year. Sabre data shows an annual O&D demand of over 375,000 two-way passengers between the UK and Cape Town (around 1,030 passengers per day).
The airline revealed plans to introduce the UK’s first non-stop air service to the popular US entertainment and ski destination of Reno-Tahoe in November 2014 but it was always contingent upon approval of landing rights and facilitation of passengers by US CBP personnel.
The rise of the Gulf Carriers has become a major talking point in the aviation industry, with many arguments that the big three have an unfair advantage on the European market.
Thomas Cook Airlines will further expand its UK long-haul programme in summer 2016 building on the airline’s growing long-haul summer programme this year, which sees its first flights to New York and Miami from May 2015. Next year’s programme will see further growth at Manchester and more frequencies from Glasgow, London (both Gatwick and Stansted airports), Belfast and Cardiff.
Thomas Cook Airlines UK is part of the Thomas Cook Group and operates over from 20 airports across the UK, carrying 6.7 million passengers to over 50 short-, medium- and long haul airports with over 200 holiday destinations including North America, the Caribbean Sea and India, as well as resorts across Europe.
The confirmation of the new long-haul link at the World Travel Market in London earlier today continues a successful period for Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, the owner and operator of the Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead Airports, which last month announced the planned resumption of international air services after a 15 year gap.
Condor will provide 518 seats per week to Portland and Providence including a Business Class offering using a Boeing 767-300 configured in three-class with 18 Business Class, 35 Premium Economy and 206 Economy seats. The Portland service will mark the return of flights to Oregon’s largest city from Frankfurt, a route previously served by Lufthansa up until September 2009.
