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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
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