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NEW LONG-HAUL SERVICES TO MEXICO, FLORIDA, AND THE CARIBBEAN, ALONG WITH NEW SHORT HAUL DESTINATIONS
22 April 2005
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS CHOSEN FOR NEW LONG-HAUL SERVICES TO MEXICO, FLORIDA, AND THE CARIBBEAN PLUS - NEW EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS AND GREATER FREQUENCY
Pioneering airline, Thomsonfly (previously Britannia Airways), has announced a major development of its base at Cardiff International Airport.
The development includes new long-haul and extra European destinations, which will increase Thomsonfly's year round capacity at Cardiff by more than 50%, amounting to over half a million passengers per year.
The plan also calls for extra Thomsonfly aircraft to be based at Cardiff.
The airline's new programme for summer 2006 features direct long haul flights to Cancun in Mexico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, both of which are a first for Wales and the West Country.
In addition, Thomsonfly will be adding a flight to Orlando Sanford in Florida, increasing the number of Cardiff International's weekly Orlando flights from two to three.
These new long-haul routes will be flown by a Boeing 767-300 series aircraft, configured with Thomsonfly's 315 seat two class premium cabin. The aircraft will be based in Cardiff three days per week.
Meanwhile, Thomsonfly is adding new European destinations and increasing the frequency of its existing services from Cardiff by supplementing the existing Boeing 757 (235 seats) with a Cardiff-based Boeing 737-800 (189 seats) from next summer.
New destinations beginning in summer 2006 include Monastir (Tunisia), Bourgas and Varna (Bulgaria), and Crete (Greece), while frequencies to Malaga, Alicante, Palma, and Tenerife will be increased. New Thomsonfly destinations from Cardiff are also planned for the winter.
Commenting on the announcement, Cardiff International Airport's Managing Director, Jon Horne, said: "This is fabulous news for Wales the West Country, and for the airport.
"Thomsonfly is the talk of the aviation industry, for the pioneering strategy of re-positioning its long haul charter operations and addressing the new demand for short haul services to European destinations.
"We have worked hard to secure the long-haul routes against stiff competition from other UK Regional Airports, and we are delighted that Thomsonfly also chose Cardiff International for a major increase in European flights.
"The new Thomsonfly destinations bring the total of long-haul routes from Cardiff to four: Cancun, Orlando Sanford, Puerto Plata, and Toronto.
"The decision to allocate additional aircraft and expanded services also demonstrates the airport's competitive position in the market serving Wales and, increasingly, the West of England.
"The opening of the new rail link to "Rhoose Cardiff International Airport" station in June this year will give the airport's ambitious development programme a further boost. Plans to bring intercity trains to the airport station in the near future will build on that potential."
According to Miles Morgan, sales and marketing director at Thomson: "We recognised the potential for developing our popular long-haul routes for Welsh and West Country customers, and Cardiff International Airport was our obvious choice, with its long runway and excellent facilities. It offers everything we need to make this development a success.
"With improving access, through new rail and road links, Cardiff International Airport has all the ingredients to capitalise on future potential. Adding aircraft to the base and growing our presence is a straight forward first step towards realising that potential," said Mr Morgan.
Holidays to Mexico, Florida, Caribbean, Bulgaria, Tunisia and
Crete for 2006 from Cardiff International Airport will go on sale
on 28th April 2005. Customers can book via their local
travel agent, on the web at www.thomson.co.uk or via Thomson's call
centre on 0870 550 2555.
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