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==History==
==History==
Thomson Airways has its origins in several predecessor airlines. '''Euravia''', an airline which was founded in January 1962<ref name="Euravia London Ltd"/> was renamed '''[[Britannia Airways]]''' in December 1964.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1964/1964%20-%203068.html?search=euravia Flight International article published 17th December 1964]</ref> '''[[Orion Airways]]''', founded in 1979 by Horizon Holidays and later owned by the large brewing firm [[Bass Brewery]] and [[InterContinental Hotels Group]], was sold and merged into Britannia Airways in 1989. Britannia Airways
Thomson Airways has its origins in several predecessor airlines. '''Euravia''', an airline which was founded in January 1962<ref name="Euravia London Ltd"></ref> was renamed '''[[Britannia Airways]]''' in December 1964.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1964/1964%20-%203068.html?search=euravia Flight International article published 17th December 1964]</ref> '''[[Orion Airways]]''', founded in 1979 by Horizon Holidays and later owned by the large brewing firm [[Bass Brewery]] and [[InterContinental Hotels Group]], was sold and merged into Britannia Airways in 1989. Britannia Airways
was rebranded as Thomsonfly in May 2005.<ref>[http://flights.thomson.co.uk/en/company_1332.html Company news archive]</ref> Finally, '''[[Air 2000]]''' was founded in 1987, and which integrated the operations of [[Leisure International Airways]] in 1998, became First Choice Airways in 2004.
was rebranded as Thomsonfly in May 2005.<ref>[http://flights.thomson.co.uk/en/company_1332.html Company news archive]</ref> Finally, '''[[Air 2000]]''' was founded in 1987, and which integrated the operations of [[Leisure International Airways]] in 1998, became First Choice Airways in 2004.


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===Bases===
===Bases===
Thomson Airways' largest base is at [[Gatwick Airport]], closely followed by [[Manchester Airport]] and [[Birmingham Airport]]. Operations and engineering are based at Gatwick Airport. Further aircraft are based at [[Belfast International Airport]], [[Bournemouth Airport]], [[Bristol Airport]], [[Cardiff Airport]], [[Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield|Doncaster Sheffield Airport]], [[Dublin Airport]], [[East Midlands Airport]], [[Exeter International Airport|Exeter Airport]], [[Glasgow International Airport]], [[London Stansted Airport]] and [[Newcastle Airport]]. Thomson announced they will be partly basing an aircraft during the week at [[Leeds Bradford International Airport]] for the Winter 2012/2013 period and fully base a B737 for the summer 2013 programme.<ref>[http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/about-the-airport/news/1-archive/copy-2012-03-26-tui-sharm Thomson Airways Announces Expansion from Leeds Bradford Airport<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Thomson Airways' largest base is at [[Gatwick Airport]], closely followed by [[Manchester Airport]] and [[Birmingham Airport]]. Operations and engineering are based at Gatwick Airport. Further aircraft are based at [[Belfast International Airport]], [[Bournemouth Airport]], [[Bristol Airport]], [[Cardiff Airport]], [[Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield|Doncaster Sheffield Airport]], [[Dublin Airport]], [[East Midlands Airport]], [[Exeter International Airport|Exeter Airport]], [[Glasgow International Airport]], [[London Stansted Airport]] and [[Newcastle Airport]]. Thomson announced they will be partly basing an aircraft during the week at [[Leeds Bradford International Airport]] for the Winter 2012/2013 period and fully base a B737 for the summer 2013 programme.<ref>[http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/about-the-airport/news/1-archive/copy-2012-03-26-tui-sharm Thomson Airways Announces Expansion from Leeds Bradford Airport]</ref>


Over the winter season, an aircraft is also based at [[Tenerife South Airport]]. This operates flights to and from regional UK and Ireland airports.
Over the winter season, an aircraft is also based at [[Tenerife South Airport]]. This operates flights to and from regional UK and Ireland airports.
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'''Long-haul''':
'''Long-haul''':
On long-haul flights, the Standard Cabin (Economy Club) has a 33" standard seat pitch with a personal 7" widescreen TV. All passengers from May 2013 will have on-demand Inflight Entertainment as standard. Complimentary hot meals and a snack are served on all Thomson Airways long-haul flights. Both alcoholic and soft drinks, along with additional snack items may be purchased on board.
On long-haul flights, the Standard Cabin (Economy Club) has a 33" standard seat pitch with a personal 7" widescreen TV. Since May 2013, all passengers have had on-demand in-flight entertainment as standard. Complimentary hot meals and a snack are served on all Thomson Airways long-haul flights. Both alcoholic and soft drinks, along with additional snack items may be purchased on board.


The Premium Economy Cabin (Premium Club) at the front of the 767-300 aircraft have a 36/37" seat pitch with wider leather seats and a personal 9" widescreen on-demand entertainment system. Customers in the Premium Economy Cabin receive upgraded meals, complimentary drinks, a comfort pack and dedicated cabin crew. On some aircraft the Premium Cabin is fitted with mood lighting.
The Premium Economy Cabin (Premium Club) at the front of the 767-300 aircraft have a 36/37" seat pitch with wider leather seats and a personal 9" widescreen on-demand entertainment system. Customers in the Premium Economy Cabin receive upgraded meals, complimentary drinks, a comfort pack and dedicated cabin crew. On some aircraft the Premium Cabin is fitted with mood lighting.
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|-
|-
!2006*
!2006*
|15,134,699 || 83,556 || 88.4% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}2.4%
|15,134,699 || 83,556 || 88.4% || {{decrease}}{{0}}2.4%
|-
|-
!2007*
!2007*
|15,018,973 || 82,360 || 89.1% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}0.8%
|15,018,973 || 82,360 || 89.1% || {{decrease}}{{0}}0.8%
|-
|-
!2008
!2008
Line 177: Line 177:
|-
|-
!2009
!2009
|11,238,774 || 59,195 || 90.2% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}8.1%
|11,238,774 || 59,195 || 90.2% || {{decrease}}{{0}}8.1%
|-
|-
!2010
!2010
|10,965,111 || 56,522 || 89.9% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}2.4%
|10,965,111 || 56,522 || 89.9% || {{decrease}}{{0}}2.4%
|-
|-
!2011
!2011
|11,049,288 || 57,713 || 89.3% || {{increase}}{{0}}{{0}}0.8%
|11,049,288 || 57,713 || 89.3% || {{increase}}{{0}}0.8%
|-
|-
!2012
!2012
|10,703,338 || 54,372 || 92.0% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}3.1%
|10,703,338 || 54,372 || 92.0% || {{decrease}}{{0}}3.1%
|-
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:right;"| <sup>''* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes First Choice Airways<br>Source: [[United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority|UK Civil Aviation Authority]]'' <ref name=CAAairline>{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&pageid=1&sglid=1 |title=UK Airline Statistics &#124; Data &#124; Economic Regulation |publisher=UK CAA |date=2010-04-19 |accessdate=2013-05-01}}</ref></sup>
| colspan="13" style="text-align:right;"| <sup>''* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes First Choice Airways<br>Source: [[United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority|UK Civil Aviation Authority]]'' <ref name=CAAairline>{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&pageid=1&sglid=1 |title=UK Airline Statistics &#124; Data &#124; Economic Regulation |publisher=UK CAA |date=2010-04-19 |accessdate=2013-05-01}}</ref></sup>

Revision as of 22:21, 23 June 2013

Thomson Airways
File:Thomson Holidays logo.svg
IATA ICAO Callsign
BY TOM TOMSON
Founded1962[1] as Britannia Airways
Commenced operations1 November 2008 (as Thomson Airways)
Operating bases
Fleet size59
Destinations96
Parent companyTUI Travel
HeadquartersRegistered office: Crawley, UK
Head office: Luton, UK[2][3]
Key peopleChris Browne[4] (Managing Director)

Carl Gissing (Director of Customer Services)[5]

John Murphy (Director of Flight Operations)[6]

Jason Mahoney (Director of Engineering)
Websitethomson.co.uk

Thomson Airways Limited is the world's largest charter airline, offering scheduled and charter flights from the UK and Ireland to destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. The company commenced operations on 1 November 2008, following the merger and subsequent re-branding of Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways. It carried 10.7 million passengers in 2012, making it the third-largest UK airline by total passengers, after EasyJet and British Airways.[7] The registered office is at the TUI Travel House in Crawley, West Sussex but its head office is located in Wigmore House in Luton, Bedfordshire.[8]

Thomson Airways Limited holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Type A Operating Licence permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[9]

History

Thomson Airways has its origins in several predecessor airlines. Euravia, an airline which was founded in January 1962[1] was renamed Britannia Airways in December 1964.[10] Orion Airways, founded in 1979 by Horizon Holidays and later owned by the large brewing firm Bass Brewery and InterContinental Hotels Group, was sold and merged into Britannia Airways in 1989. Britannia Airways was rebranded as Thomsonfly in May 2005.[11] Finally, Air 2000 was founded in 1987, and which integrated the operations of Leisure International Airways in 1998, became First Choice Airways in 2004.

Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways merged following the merger of the travel division of TUI AG and First Choice Holidays PLC in September 2007. All flights operated under the Thomsonfly CAA Air Operator's Certificate from 1 May 2008.[citation needed] The Thomson Airways brand was launched for the combined airline on 1 November 2008,[12] which became the world's largest charter airline.

The new brand retained the Thomsonfly colourscheme, and aircraft in the fleet were gradually repainted. Several First Choice Airways aircraft remained in the First Choice livery as they were due to be phased out of service. A new livery, named the "dreamliner" livery to coincide with the delivery of the Boeing 787 in 2013, was introduced in May 2012.

Thomson Airways became the first UK airline to take delivery of the Boeing 787, receiving the first aircraft in May 2013. Passenger flights are due to begin on 8 July 2013.[13]

Corporate affairs

Head Office

Wigmore House, head office of Thomson Airways

The airline's head office is in the Wigmore House near Luton, Bedfordshire.[14] The 41,250-square-foot (3,832 m2) facility is adjacent to Luton Airport and is 33 miles (53 km) north of London.[15]

Bases

Thomson Airways' largest base is at Gatwick Airport, closely followed by Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport. Operations and engineering are based at Gatwick Airport. Further aircraft are based at Belfast International Airport, Bournemouth Airport, Bristol Airport, Cardiff Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Dublin Airport, East Midlands Airport, Exeter Airport, Glasgow International Airport, London Stansted Airport and Newcastle Airport. Thomson announced they will be partly basing an aircraft during the week at Leeds Bradford International Airport for the Winter 2012/2013 period and fully base a B737 for the summer 2013 programme.[16]

Over the winter season, an aircraft is also based at Tenerife South Airport. This operates flights to and from regional UK and Ireland airports.

Destinations

Main article: Thomson Airways destinations

Most scheduled flights operated by Thomson Airways are on behalf of tour operators. Certain seat contingents on these flights can be directly purchased. The airline offers a wide range of flights to holiday destinations at the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean from a total of 24 airports across the United Kingdom. Additionally, seasonal charter routes are served. From November 2013, Thomson Airways will fly to Thailand using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Fleet

Boeing 757-200 takes off from Birmingham Airport in the 2011 livery
Boeing 767-300ER fitted with winglets, departing Manchester Airport in the new 'Dreamliner' livery
Boeing 787-8 at Hannover Airport in June 2013

As of 22 June 2013, the Thomson Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft.[17]

Thomson Airways fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Options Passengers Notes
P E Total
Boeing 737-800 30 2 0 0 189 189
Boeing 757-200 16 0 0 0 233
235 		233
235
Boeing 767-300ER 8 0 0 63
62
31
0 		195
196
252
328 		258
258
283
328
Boeing 787-8 3 10 13 47 244 291
Total 57 12 13

Cabin

Short-haul: On short-haul and mid-haul flights Thomson Airways have a 28"/30" seat pitch. New Boeing 737-800 aircraft with SKY Interior are being rolled out replacing older 757, and all legacy Airbus fleets from 2011 onwards. Alcoholic and soft drinks, sweet and savoury snacks can be purchased on board. Pre-bookable traditional hot in-flight meals were discontinued from 1 November 2011 and replaced in favour of a range of hot cafe style products for onboard sale branded "the eatery". 1 November 2011 marked the end of traditional In-flight TV/Movie/Audio Entertainment onboard Short and Medium-haul flights. A Comfort Service is offered after take-off with the sale of magazines, snuggle kits and the opportunity to hire Sony PSP units. An extensive range of Tax/Duty-Free perfumes and gifts along with tobacco and spirits remain available on most flights. A limited number of extra legroom seats can be purchased prior to travel through various channels and opportunities.

Long-haul: On long-haul flights, the Standard Cabin (Economy Club) has a 33" standard seat pitch with a personal 7" widescreen TV. Since May 2013, all passengers have had on-demand in-flight entertainment as standard. Complimentary hot meals and a snack are served on all Thomson Airways long-haul flights. Both alcoholic and soft drinks, along with additional snack items may be purchased on board.

The Premium Economy Cabin (Premium Club) at the front of the 767-300 aircraft have a 36/37" seat pitch with wider leather seats and a personal 9" widescreen on-demand entertainment system. Customers in the Premium Economy Cabin receive upgraded meals, complimentary drinks, a comfort pack and dedicated cabin crew. On some aircraft the Premium Cabin is fitted with mood lighting.

Thomson Airways Magazine Inflight is available to all customers in the seatpocket. In addition, a Whats On guide is available on 767-300 to complement the on-screen seat-back menus provided by Panasonic.

Statistics

Thomson Airways carried 10.7 million passengers during 2012, a 3.1% reduction compared with 2011.[7]

Year Total passengers Total flights Load factor Passenger Change YoY
2005* 15,501,616 82,913 88.6%
2006* 15,134,699 83,556 88.4% Decrease02.4%
2007* 15,018,973 82,360 89.1% Decrease00.8%
2008 12,234,618 65,348 91.1% Decrease018.5%
2009 11,238,774 59,195 90.2% Decrease08.1%
2010 10,965,111 56,522 89.9% Decrease02.4%
2011 11,049,288 57,713 89.3% Increase00.8%
2012 10,703,338 54,372 92.0% Decrease03.1%
* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes First Choice Airways
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority [7]

Awards

  • Most Punctual UK Charter Airline - Summer 2009,[18] Summer 2010,[19] Summer 2011 [20] & Summer 2012 [21]
  • Winner of a Mercury Award in 2010
  • World's Best Leisure Airline 2010 & 2011 - Skytrax[22]
  • First Choice ~ British Travel Awards 2012 :: Best Overall All-Inclusive Tour Operator
  • Thomson ~ British Travel Awards 2012 :: Best Overall Adults Only Tour Operator
  • First Choice ~ British Travel Awards 2012 :: Best Overall Tour Operator To East & Southeast Europe
  • Thomson ~ British Travel Awards 2012 :: Best Overall Tour Operator To The Iberian Peninsula & Islands
  • Thomson ~ British Travel Awards 2012 :: Best Overall Tour Operator To North Africa

References

  1. ^ a b Euravia (London) Ltd
  2. ^ Thomson Airways CASA AOC
  3. ^ UK CAA aircraft ownership details
  4. ^ Company press release quoting MD
  5. ^ Carl Gissing (Director of Customer Service) LinkedIn profile
  6. ^ BALPA news article quoting John Murphy, Director of Flight Operations
  7. ^ a b c "UK Airline Statistics | Data | Economic Regulation". UK CAA. 2010-04-19. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  8. ^ "Booking Conditions." Thomson Airways. Retrieved on 4 February 2011."Both Thomson Airways and TUI UK Limited have their Registered Office at TUI Travel House, Crawley Business Quarter, Fleming Way, Crawley RH10 9QL[...]"
  9. ^ CAA operating licence
  10. ^ Flight International article published 17th December 1964
  11. ^ Company news archive
  12. ^ New Thomson Airways brand launched
  13. ^ Rob Cooper (31 May 2013). "Thomson becomes first UK airline to take delivery of troubled Boeing 787 Dreamliner after world-wide grounding is lifted". Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  14. ^ "GINFO Search Results". Civil Aviation Authority. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Wigmore House". Duncan-Welch & Co. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  16. ^ Thomson Airways Announces Expansion from Leeds Bradford Airport
  17. ^ Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Register - Thomson Airways
  18. ^ Flightontime.info - Summer 2009 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality
  19. ^ Flightontime.info - Summer 2010 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality
  20. ^ Flightontime.info - Summer 2011 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality
  21. ^ Flightontime.info - Summer 2012 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality
  22. ^ "Thomson Airways repeat success, named as World's Best Leisure Airline". Skytrax. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thomson Airways.
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