Thomson Airways - Details and Fleet History

First Choice Holidays PLC and the Travel Division of TUI AG merged in 2007, creating the worlds largest Tour Operator; TUI Travel PLC. Following the deal, First Choice Airways was merged into Thomsonfly, creating the United Kingdoms third largest airline.

Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways have successfully been operating under one Civil Aviation Authority Air Operator’s Certificate since 1st May 2008. Thomson Airways was formed on 1st November 2008; with both Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways due to be operating under the single brand from 1st May 2009.

In April 2009 Thomson Airways will begin the returning of its Airbus aircraft to lessors. The transition to an all-Boeing aircraft fleet is expected to be complete by the end of October 2009… leaving a 60-strong fleet of Boeing aircraft.

Thomson Airways will become the first airline in Europe to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it takes delivery of the aircraft in 2010. Thomson Airways parent company has now on order twenty-three Boeing 787 Dreamliners; twelve of which are inherited from the First Choice Airways order. Not all Dreamliners will be UK based however, with some of the order going to other TUI members.

Thomson Airways' head quarters are at London-Luton, with main bases as London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. The new airline also has aircraft based at Belfast International, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Sheffield, Dublin, East Midlands, Exeter, Glasgow International, London-Luton, London-Stansted and Newcastle.

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