Inauguration of Thomas Cook routes to Bastia and Reykjavik

[sn26567]

Thomas Cook has announced the inauguration of new routes to Reykjavik in a recent press release (see viewtopic.php?p=283298#p283298)

I was present at that event this Saturday 29 June 2013 and I made the pictures with comments hereunder:

Welcoming the guests and the passengers with a glass of champagne or a juice

Advertisement for the new flights

Filling the glasses

Nice hors d'oeuvres

Passengers to Bastia and guests

OO-TCH "experience" to Bastia at gate A46

Thomas Cook Airlines staff: spokesman Baptiste van Outryve and Airline Manager Jean-Christophe Degen

Speech of Brussels Airport Head of Marketing Leon Verhallen

Speech of Thomas Cook Manager Network and Revenue Bram Van Nieuwerburgh

Flight HQ6228 to Bastia ready for boarding

A crowd of happy passengers awaiting boarding

Off to Bastia

The aircraft departed 45 minutes late due to air traffic restrictions in Bastia, where the Tour de France was arriving today !

To be followed hereunder with the Reykjavik inauguration.

[sn26567]

The Reykjavik inauguration started immediately after the departure of the Bastia flight.

The passengers got the same treatment: champagne and hors d'oeuvres. The speeches were very similar. In addition there was an inauguration cake for all.

Arrival of OO-TCJ "inspire" with the Air Flair decals

The Reykjavik inauguration cake with the flags of Belgium and Iceland

Cutting the cake: Leon Verhallen (Brussels Airport Head of Aviation Marketing), Bram Van Nieuwerburgh (Thomas Cook Manager Network and Revenues) and Jean-Christophe Degen (Thomas Cook Airlines General Manager)

First departure to Reykjavik: HQ6392

OO-TCJ Air Flair

OO-TCJ Air Flair

Push-back

Water cannon salute (a rare view: only one other photographer was allowed on the taxiway in front of the departing aircraft)

Water cannon salute (with lights on! )

Off to reykjavik

[cathay belgium]

Nice report and pics!
Thx..
Nice water salute pics.. they start getting to know you now,special photoallowance for luchtzak press

CXB

[sultanils]

Hi André,

Well done on being present on this inaugural. Too bad you didn't get to fly both routes or at least one of them Thomas Cook did a good job on turning this into an event for the pax on the 1st flight, it's not too often seen at BRU.

Sultanils

[HQ_BRU_Lover]

I was the other photographer. Will try to post some pictures tomorrow or monday. Great event: well organised, nice atmosphere, friendly crew (could follow flight preps to Bastia in the cockpit), ... "Thomas Cook, de airline die ik zoek"

[HQ_BRU_Lover]

First shots:

OO-TCH to Bastia:



OO-TCJ to Keflavik:




Some more are coming up in the next few days.