Tour operator TUI will enter the UK low-cost market in March with the launch of Thomsonfly. The carrier will be based at Coventry airport and will start with two 131-seat Boeing 737-500s, with the aim of growing to 10-12 aircraft in three to four years. Although the aircraft will be operated by TUI's charter carrier Britannia Airways, Thomsonfly has struck a separate deal with pilot and cabin crew unions. Utilisation rates will be around the 10h a day mark, and the carrier expects to break even within a couple of years. Thomsonfly will initially serve 11 destinations in France, Italy, Spain and Jersey.
Source: Airline Business
