Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

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sn26567
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Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sn26567 »

At a press conference this morning (3 Dec 2013), Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium (TCAB) outlined its programme for 2014.

In brief,
• Two new destinations (Split and Ajaccio)
• Expansion of capacity at regional airports (Liège and Lille)
• Expansion and modernisation of fleet
• More direct flights


Bram Van Nieuwerburgh (head of network & revenue management) introduced TCAB, which is now completely independent of the tour operator and is integrated in the Thomas Cook Airlines group comprising Condor (Germany), Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium. However, the four AOCs will be maintained in a predictable future.

In 2013, Thomas Cook evolved from a purely charter airline to become a fully integrated scheduled airline, cooperating with and mentioned in the GDS systems. This trend will be enhanced in 2014, since the hybrid model (charter/scheduled) has not yet reached its limits. Furthermore, TCAB will increase the number of direct flights (as opposed to triangular flights), thus increasing the convenience for the passengers.

In 2013 TCAB successfully launched two new destinations: Reykjavik (KEF) and Bastia (BIA). These destinations will again be in the 20147 timetable, with increased service: KEF will be served twice weekly from 31 May (instead of 1 July) until 31 August and BIA twice weekly from end June to end August. In addition, TCAB will launch two new destinations in 2014: Split in Croatia twice a week (as the only Belgian airline with that destination), and Ajaccio in Corsica once a week from end June to end August, complementing Bastia. These two new destinations will also be served from Lille.

Thus, in 2014, TCAB will operate 161 weekly flights from Brussels Airport to 52 destinations. But it will also expand at regional airports. At Liège, which has a unique position for residents of Wallonia, Limburg, Antwerp, the Netherlands and Germany to leave on holiday, it will serve 13 destinations at times convenient for families with children (between 10:00 and 17:00). In the summer of 2014, TCAB will also be the main airline in Lille (ideally located for many Belgian tourists), flying to 18 destinations with again family-friendly departure times. Ostend will be linked to 6 destinations. And Charleroi? One Thomas Cook destination, Antalya, operated by a Turkish partner.

In 2014 TCAB will aim at increasing ticket-only sales (as opposed to partnerships with tour operators from the Thomas Cook group). This will be done through travel agents, the TCAB and the Condor websites, a contact centre, Condor teams on location (e.g. in Mallorca) and the GDS.

In 2013, TCAB operated 25% more direct flights than in 2012. This trend will be accelerated in 2014: 89% of all flights from BRU will be direct ones (also an operational advantage, as it enables more rotations per day).

The fleet will be increased and modernized: an older A320 will leave the fleet to be replaced by two more recent A320s. A cabin refurbishment programme will start after the summer. The whole Thomas Cook Airlines Group fleet will get the new “sunny heart” livery (the first TCAB sunny heart aircraft will come out of the hangar today, 3 December). The Group will also get a factory-fresh A321 and an A330 painted in the new colours.

Thomas Cook's aim in 2014 is to be family-friendly (free under the age of 2, a 20 kg baggage allowance even for babies, etc.), modern and safe.

In the question time after the conference, TCAB mentioned that the long-haul flights will continue being carried out by Condor out of Frankfurt thanks to the very good financial conditions and the high frequency offered by Lufthansa between BRU and FRA. Manchester would have been an alternative if flight schedules and costs had been more favourable, but this will not be the case in 2014.

In the long run, TCAB would aim at operating 8 to 10 aircraft, but no long-haul planes.
The Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium team, from left to right Bram Van Nieuwerburgh (head of network & revenue management), Kate Croisier (head of sales & marketing), Jean-Christophe Degen (general manager, captain A320)
The Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium team, from left to right Bram Van Nieuwerburgh (head of network & revenue management), Kate Croisier (head of sales & marketing), Jean-Christophe Degen (general manager, captain A320)
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sn26567 »

Destinations from Liège in 2014: 13 destinations, 8 of which are operated by TCAB aircraft, 80% of the departures between 1000 and 1700

Greece: Corfu, Kos, Heraklion, Rhodes
Morocco: Agadir, Marrakesh
Spain: Mallorca, Tenerife
Tunisia: Djerba, Enfidha
Turkey: Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir

Destinations from Lille in 2014: 18 destinations, 13 of which are operated by TCAB aircraft, 80% of the departures between 1000 and 1700

Greece: Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes
Morocco: Agadir, Marrakesh
Spain: Mallorca, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Malaga
Tunisia: Djerba, Enfidha
Turkey: Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir
Portugal: Faro
Croatia: Dubrovnik, Split
France: Ajaccio

Destinations from Ostend in 2014: 6 destinations, 3 of which are operated by TCAB aircraft

Greece: Heraklion
Spain: Mallorca, Tenerife
Tunisia: Djerba, Enfidha
Turkey: Antalya
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sn26567 »

sn26567 wrote:The Group will also get a factory-fresh A321 and an A330 painted in the new colours.
Thomas Cook Airlines UK happened to receive its first A321 (sharklets) today:

Image
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by scblobos »

i notice that HQ KEF flight"s are publisched in GDS via DE codeshare and show some very attractive prices
other destinations for su14 have no availability

Does anyone know when HQ aircraft will be flying in new livery ?

Passenger
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by Passenger »

Baptiste van Outryve, spokesman Thomas Cook Belgium / Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium for many years, leaves the company at the end of August 2014. He then joins Carrefour Supermarkets.

Koen Van Den Bosch takes over from van Baptyste Outryve.

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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sn26567 »

After Jan Van der Cruysse, this is another loss for the airline industry in a short timespan. Baptiste was an amiable guy who had easy relations with anyone interested in aviation and tourism.
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by Boeing767copilot »

According to several sources TCB will reduce its fleet next winter to 2 or 3 aircraft instead of 6. :(

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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by EBAW_flyer »

4 aircraft will be replaced during winter.
The other 2 will go to maintenance as usual during low season, this causes some periods with 3 aircraft.
As from april, this will go back to 6. 5 of them in the new colors with refurbished cabins!

Wim@TCAB
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by Wim@TCAB »

OO-TCI, OO-TCJ and CS-TKP will soon leave the fleet (end of the month, beginning of next month).

OO-TCQ will leave later during winter. In the meantime OO-TCH will be back from maintenance.

Airbus A330

Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by Airbus A330 »

So, OO-TCQ won't leave the fleet but will just go to maintenance?

tangolima
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by tangolima »

Hello

A/C for This winter:
OOTCH
OOTCQ

do not forget Also LYVEP Will leave the fleet within the next few weeks

Greetings
All my posted timings are local !

crew1990
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by crew1990 »

Does Brussels Airlines will fly for Thomas Cook in winter?

Airbus A330

Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by Airbus A330 »

tangolima wrote:Hello

A/C for This winter:
OOTCH
OOTCQ

do not forget Also LYVEP Will leave the fleet within the next few weeks

Greetings
Thanks! ;) So, OO-TCS will also be phased out.

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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by tangolima »

crew1990 wrote:Does Brussels Airlines will fly for Thomas Cook in winter?
Hello

Nop, they only fly for TCAB during the summer season.

Greetings,
All my posted timings are local !

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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by tangolima »

Airbus A330 wrote:
tangolima wrote:Hello

A/C for This winter:
OOTCH
OOTCQ

do not forget Also LYVEP Will leave the fleet within the next few weeks

Greetings
Thanks! ;) So, OO-TCS will also be phased out.
Hello

Sorry, 1 A319 & 2 A320 will stay in the fleet during the winter season.

Greetings,
All my posted timings are local !

Airbus A330

Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by Airbus A330 »

tangolima wrote:Hello

Sorry, 1 A319 & 2 A320 will stay in the fleet during the winter season.

Greetings,
Thank you very much! ;)

sean1982
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sean1982 »

Good luck to the crew!

sergioboeing
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sergioboeing »

What a pity that this airline is not growing like Jetairfly :(
Best regards,
Sergioboeing

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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sn26567 »

sergioboeing wrote:What a pity that this airline is not growing like Jetairfly :(
They have a different strategy. Jetairfly is operating its own long-haul flights, whereas Thomas Cook relies on Condor with a connection in FRA. Jetairfly leases out its excess aircraft during the winter, Thomas Cook has less aircraft and buys seats or aircraft from other airlines during the summer.
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Re: Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium in 2014

Post by sergioboeing »

sn26567 wrote:
sergioboeing wrote:What a pity that this airline is not growing like Jetairfly :(
They have a different strategy. Jetairfly is operating its own long-haul flights, whereas Thomas Cook relies on Condor with a connection in FRA. Jetairfly leases out its excess aircraft during the winter, Thomas Cook has less aircraft and buys seats or aircraft from other airlines during the summer.
In term of brand image I think it would be better for TCAB to fly with their own aircrafts instead of lease different airlines such as Avion Express, SATA Intl etc.
I suppose it is more complicated to manage?
By the way, that's the reason why I am not big fan of TCAB, you never sure to fly with an aircraft of their fleet.
Best regards,
Sergioboeing

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