Thomas Cook eyes a new widebody to replace Condor’s 767 fleet from 2021

24 July, 2018

Thomas Cook Airlines Group is in the market for a new widebody and a decision to replace 16 Boeing 767s currently flying with its German-based operation Condor could take place by the end of 2018, for delivery to commence from 2021.


Summary:

  • Thomas Cook Airlines Group could make a decision before the end of this year on a replacement for the 16 Boeing 767-300ERs flown by Condor out of Germany;
  • In contrary to most other European tour operators, widebody aircraft form a strong portion (30.7%) of the total Thomas Cook Group fleet;
  • The Thomas Cook Group is actually in an odd place for a large European airline group in that it has no outstanding aircraft orders;
  • A short term selection of the A330 would bring standardisation with other widebody aircraft of Thomas Cook Airlines brands, but the proposed NMA (797) from Boeing could be an ideal candidate if time allows.

Europe defied the traditional industry expectations of sluggish growth in mature aviation markets in 2017, with the continent seeing a remarkable passenger growth rate of 8.2% year-on-year. The figure was near double that of the 4.8% posted in the USA, and just short of the Asia Pacific's 9.4%.

The figures show that despite bouts of geopolitical uncertainty such as Brexit and a lack of airport capacity in many key European regions, travellers are keen to fly. European airlines, especially in the leisure segment, are adding capacity at historical rates and with this capacity - new aircraft.

Holiday and tour operator Thomas Cook is the latest airline group to express interest in a new long haul aircraft order, specifically for German subsidiary Condor Flugdienst. Thomas Cook Group chief airlines officer Jean Christoph Debus has said a decision to replace Condor's 16 Boeing 767-300ERs could take place by the end of 2018, for delivery to commence from 2021.

TABLE - The Thomas Cook Group fleet totals 91 aircraft, including 27 widebodiesSource: CAPA - Centre for Aviation Fleet Database

On the contrary to most other European tour operators, widebody aircraft form a strong 30.7% of the total Thomas Cook Group fleet. This does not include the carrier's 757-300 aircraft, which are typically used for highly popular short/medium haul routes but also longer range destinations such as Dubai in the winter season. Juxtapose this figure with the TUI Group - the world's largest leisure, travel and tourism company - widebody aircraft form 19.6% of its fleet.

Specifically for Condor, its 16 widebodies account for an even higher percentage of 38.1% for its fleet of 42 aircraft. Lufthansa, on the other hand, sees widebodies account for 36.7% of its much larger fleet of 275 aircraft.

Condor punches above its weight between Germany and Latin America, its key long haul market, even outpacing Lufthansa for capacity between the regions at certain peak travel periods.

GRAPH - Condor punches above its weight between Germany and Latin America, its key long haul market, even outpacing Lufthansa for capacity between the regions at certain peak travel periodsSource: CAPA - Centre for Aviation and OAG

Condor's North American long haul operations are also exhibiting strong demand, with the carrier recently disclosing plans to increase Frankfurt - Las Vegas and Frankfurt - Seattle frequencies from twice to three times weekly from the winter 2018/19 season.

Despite the carrier's presence on the long haul, the real standout is its recent short/medium haul development, bolstered by the carrier capitalising on the market exit of airberlin. Condor is offering 35% more capacity on the short and medium haul in summer 2018, including 88% more capacity in Dusseldorf.

The Thomas Cook Group is in an odd place for a large European airline group in that it has no outstanding aircraft orders. Its young narrowbody fleet of A320ceos do not require replacement - an oddity for many larger European airlines - with the aircraft type boasting a median age of 7.2 years.

With Thomas Cook only notifying of plans for a long haul fleet replacement at Condor, it would make sense to substitute the 767 fleet with A330s used by its UK operation. This would align the company's widebody fleet under a single aircraft type and potentially spur a move to an all Airbus operation, upon phase out of 757 equipment.

However, if Condor's 2021 deadline was not set in stone, the company could extend the life of its 767s and potentially seek to acquire Boeing's new midsized aircraft. Likely to roll out in 2025, the NMA concept is rumoured to be configured with 225 to 275 seats with a range of up to 4500nm, which is perhaps a more fitting replacement for Boeing 767 aircraft than the A330.