Jazz Air LP signed an agreement with Thomas Cook Canada Inc.

[midwingcrisis]

Jazz Air LP signed an agreement with Thomas Cook Canada Inc. Monday that will see the regional affiliate of Air Canada begin flying a fleet six 757-200 aircraft to sunny locales next winter.

The agreement with Thomas Cook is the first major relationship for Jazz outside of its capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, which currently accounts for roughly 99% of its sales.

While the terms of the agreement are confidential, Jazz said the new partnership would add about $100-million in additional revenue. Jazz revenue was at roughly $1.4-billion in 2009.

"Growing and diversifying our business remains a top corporate priority; our agreement with Thomas Cook is a strong start that delivers value to all of our stakeholders," said Joseph Randell, Jazz chief executive in a statement. "We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the world's largest leisure travel groups, and it's our employees who have brought us to this important milestone. Our demonstrated ability to operate safely, reliably and with excellent customer service at competitive rates is the reason why we are able to grow and diversify our business. All our employees are to be commended for their 'can do' attitude and professionalism."

The 757-200, which can accommodate up to 228 passengers, would also be a significantly larger aircraft than the regional jets and turboprops Jazz currently operates.

Thomas Cook Canada, a division of Thomas Cook Group Plc, said it would be using the aircraft to serve destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America next winter, and the contract comes with an option to extend by up to five years. The new relationship also follows the folding of Thomas Cook’s former partner, Skyservice Airlines Inc., last week.

Skyservice had operated aircraft on behalf of Thomas Cook’s Sunquest Vacations product for 15 years before the charter airline unexpectedly folded last week.

WestJet Airlines Ltd. is expected to provide summer service for Sunquest Vacations, but it now appears Jazz will take at least some of its winter schedule as well.

"We're extremely proud to be partnering with Jazz to offer our passengers high-quality in-flight services as part of the full Sunquest vacation experience," said Michael Friisdahl, Thomas Cook North America chief executive said. "Through the combined operational and financial strength of Thomas Cook and Jazz, we will offer Sunquest customers innovative and dependable vacation packages."

Jazz has been actively looking at ways to diversify its business since it was spun off of Air Canada in 2004 under ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. While that has remained a priority, the company has had difficulties finding an appropriate partner.

Recently, Jazz had said it was also in talks with Robbie Golberg about the possibility of partnering with him as well on his latest package tour venture, Direct Save Holidays, which Mr. Goldberg still intends to launch in June with flights starting in November as well.

Last February, Jazz also announced its plans to acquire a fleet of 15 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, which it hopes will open up many short-haul routes to it, including the possibility of using the planes as part of Air Canada plans to return to the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island.



Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business ... z0kEUAgUzj

[Troubleshot]

WOW!

[208Drvr]

I could only read the first few paragrahs then I got tired and had to take a nap, but this is a huge step for Jazz getting into the bigger stuff.

[midwingcrisis]

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch ... c7686.html

[757skip]

union busting maneuver...well done thomas cook....the brits still giving us the shaft ...lets try that in their country!

[757skip]

i wonder how much hey will be paying the 757 drivers?
do you think it will be more than skyservice?
im sure it will be...

[Pourdu_fun]

WOW!

WOW again.

[C-FABH]

This isn't some kind of belated April Fools prank?

[Triple7]

This isn't some kind of belated April Fools prank?

Jazz Air to add Boeing 757s to fleet
Will operate flights to sun destinations
Russ Byth Apr 05, 2010 07:34:13 AM
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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - With the demise of Skyservice Airlines last week, Sunquest Vacations has lined up another carrier to take vacationers to the sun this coming winter. Thomas Cook Canada and Jazz Air have signed a flight services agreement Jazz to operate flights to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America on behalf of Thomas Cook's tour operator Sunquest.
Jazz will operate a fleet of up to 11 Boeing 757 jets from gateways across Canada and will be branded as Thomas Cook Airlines starting next January.

[goaroundthrust]

I believe it when the airplanes are on the ramp, and have been flying for 6 month......

[KAG]

I'll third a WOW.
Someone had to get the Sunquest flying, and while I admit I was hoping we would get it, I’m glad an established Canadian carrier inked the deal, not an upstart who would only do more harm then good in the long run.

Good work guys.

[bigmoly]

Wait for comments from AC pilots regarding potential conflicts with the CPA. Anyone??

[Troubleshot]

I'll third a WOW.
Someone had to get the Sunquest flying, and while I admit I was hoping we would get it, I’m glad an established Canadian carrier inked the deal, not an upstart who would only do more harm then good in the long run.

Good work guys.

+1

[Pourdu_fun]

Wait for comments from AC pilots regarding potential conflicts with the CPA. Anyone??

This new contract is compatible with the provisions within our Capacity Purchase Agreement with Air Canada.

Thats from Joe Randell memo.

Pourdu

[bigmoly]

Hope Joe is right. Can't imagine AC is too happy about it.

[flyinhigh]

This is NOT in competition with Air Canada in any way,

1) it is Thomas Cook aircraft basically run buy Jazz.

2) it is not Jazz vacations, it is thomas cook/sunquest vacations.

unfortunate part is that so many people here believe cpa means only aircanada. Not true, first off AC is are main customer, do you really think that they would put the cpa in jeopardy for 6 57's. highly unlikely

[Big Pistons Forever]

I see the new outfit will be called "Thomas Cook Airlines" not "Jazz Airlines"....so does that mean the flight crew will be sourced seperately from Jazz, or will Jazz pilots be able to bid the 757 ?

[midwingcrisis]

I do not believe Thomas Cook would qualify for an AOC, due to current foreign ownership criteria. Under the covers though.....if one is to buy a vacation package currently in Canada, it is for the most part almost entirely .....foreign all in.

[Pourdu_fun]

I see the new outfit will be called "Thomas Cook Airlines" not "Jazz Airlines"....so does that mean the flight crew will be sourced seperately from Jazz, or will Jazz pilots be able to bid the 757 ?

All JAzz staff, Aircraft from Thomas Cook.

[Dash-Ate]

Is the Cadet program still in place? 200 hrs and a fresh CPL for right seat in the 757?

[Troubleshot]

obviously it is early to say but would they train crews for the 757 for 6 months of flying? then what...back to the RJ or the Dash for the other 6 months?...I know that probably won't happen but a real question none the less.

[Big Pistons Forever]

I really hope I am wrong but I bet a current Jazz line pilot will never see the 757. Jazz management will find some way to use seasonal contracted crew or some other tactic to get around the union, like KFC did with Flair Airlines.

[ScudRunner]

obviously it is early to say but would they train crews for the 757 for 6 months of flying? then what...back to the RJ or the Dash for the other 6 months?...I know that probably won't happen but a real question none the less.

Well that might lead them from the North - South stuff in the Winter months to over the Atlantic in the Summer month. Would require a stop in Iceland on the way from some destinations but interesting development. Not to throw fuel on the fire but 767 are cheap these days and the 757 767 are a common type rating ............................................stirs pot and giggles.



http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forum ... n/1043563/

http://www.pprune.org/canada/400099-tho ... pring.html

Found those on Airliners.Net and PPRuNe respectively, this has been in the works for awhile. But I do love the Armchair quarter backs that shot them down.

[Localizer]

I see the new outfit will be called "Thomas Cook Airlines" not "Jazz Airlines"....so does that mean the flight crew will be sourced seperately from Jazz, or will Jazz pilots be able to bid the 757 ?

The Dash-8's and CRJ's say "Air Canada" on the side .. but there are no Air Canada pilots on the inside ... The name painted on the bird means nothing.

[Black Cat]

I see the new outfit will be called "Thomas Cook Airlines" not "Jazz Airlines"....so does that mean the flight crew will be sourced seperately from Jazz, or will Jazz pilots be able to bid the 757 ?

The Dash-8's and CRJ's say "Air Canada" on the side .. but there are no Air Canada pilots on the inside ... The name painted on the bird means nothing.

Not to nit pick but the name on the side of the CRJs and Dash8s says "Air Canada JAZZ" as do their hats and jepp manuals. And there are "Air Canada JAZZ" pilots inside. Until recently the company did operate as air canada jazz but now my understanding is that they have dropped the air canada will be known as Jazz, possible from the litigation from porter.

Anyhow, great news for Jazz.