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Thomson to launch first non-stop flights to Costa Rica
Thomson will launch the first non-stop flight from the UK to Costa Rica in summer 2016 when it will also return to Cuba for the first time since 2013.
Managing director David Burling said the operator’s long-haul programme would see double-digit growth, on the back of its new Dreamliner aircraft.
In addition to the new Gatwick to Costa Rica and Cuba services, Thomson will launch the first Dreamliner flights from Stansted to Cancun, Mexico and Sanford, Orlando, starting next May.
It will also have a new flight from Birmingham to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, as well as several new short-haul flights, and from Manchester it will offer Dreamliner flights to Aruba, increasing capacity on the route.
From Glasgow and Newcastle, it will offer additional flights to Cancun in Mexico. "We are not just a London operator," said Burling. "I am really excited about our new flights from regional airports."
For summer 2016, all Thomson’s long-haul flights will be on Dreamliner aircraft and from next May, cabin crew will be issued with iPads to sell excursions onboard.
Burling said he was particularly excited about the new programme to Costa Rica. "As a tour operator we are going back to our origins of developing new destinations," he said. "We were put on the planet to do this."
Product director Mark Hall admitted Thomson needed to introduce other long-haul destinations after violence in Kenya forced it to pull its programme earlier this year.
"Costa Rica will appeal to people who want a similar sense of adventure," he said.
Thomson will also have two new Sensatori resorts next summer, one in the Dominican Republic and one in Rhodes. Hall said it was negotiating with another property to add a third new one in a short-haul destination. If it comes off, details will be announced in July, he said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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