The 1st Manchester to Tobago flight took off yesterday as Thomas Cook launched its 17th long haul route from Manchester Airport.
The 12,000-seat programme runs weekly until March 19th 2017 aboard an Airbus A330 features Premium economy and James Martin meals.
Manchester Airport is the global gateway for the North of the UK and the largest airport outside London with over 210 destinations served by 70 airlines.
At the start of their journey to the island’s amazing hotels and beaches, customers were treated to a steel band and carnival dancers at check-in and more music, food and cocktails at the departure gate. Seven Thomas Cook retail agents were also on the flight to find out more about what the islands have to offer UK holidaymakers.
Thomas Cook Airlines’ Director of Sales and Planning, Henry Sunley, said: “This is such an amazing day for our customers who want some luxurious winter sun. Tobago’s a great destination and with our £100 million upgraded cabins, pre-order duty free service Airshoppen, and James Martin’s fantastic menu, our customers can travel in real style.
“Furthermore, our sister airline Condor, also started a new route from Munich to Tobago and Barbados this weekend. This new route perfectly complements the Thomas Cook Group Airlines routes from Frankfurt and Manchester.”
Manchester’s long-haul catchment area places around 22 million people and 60% of all UK businesses within a two-hour drive time – it extends north through the Lake District into Scotland; east across Yorkshire and the North East; south to Birmingham and the Midlands; and west into Merseyside and Wales.
Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see Thomas Cook Airlines starting another long haul route from Manchester. Tobago is a beautiful island and the ideal destination for those looking for some winter sun. We’re confident it will prove hugely popular with the 22 million people in our catchment area.”
Direct flights to Tobago from Manchester Airport are available from £409 return for economy and £699 Premium class, with departures every Sunday running from November 13th to March 19th 2017.
Manchester Airports Group – MAG – serves more than 54 million passengers and handles almost half a million tonnes of air freight every year through its ownership and operation of the airports of London Stansted, Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports.