Thomsonfly targets independent travel with network expansion
Thomsonfly is to operate from 11 regional airports in 2006 as it continues its strategic goal of moving into the independent travel sector.
The carrier, which currently offers flights from Coventry, Bournemouth and Doncaster, will introduce services from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Luton, Newcastle, Nottingham East Midlands and Glasgow from May next year. The airports will serve the Spanish destinations of Palma, Malaga, Alicante and Ibiza.
The operator has predicted it will see carryings jump from the 1.5 million in 2005 to two million.
The expansion comes as demand for package holidays continues to slip in favour of more tailor-made – or dynamically packaged – holidays.
Managing director Peter Rothwell described the move as a “key step for Thomson.”
“We are continuing to explore the growing independent sector and the investment in the low fares flight programme is one of the key activities in this strategy,” he said. “It will attract new UK customers and serve overseas customers needing inbound travel to the UK.”
He said more than 80% of Thomsonfly’s passengers are new to the company, underlining the airline’s importance in growing the customer base.
More than 95% of bookings are made online.
Report by Steve Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports