Thomson to drop Thomsonfly brand

From May of 2009, Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways will fly under one brand - Thomson Airways.

The two brands are the most recent to be reorganised since last year’s merger of holiday companies TUI AG and First Choice to form TUI Travel. TUI AG is the owner of Thomson Holidays.

Pilots from both carriers now fly as part of a unified operation, and additional integration will occur. In 2010, Thomson Airways will be Europe’s first carrier to fly the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Chris Browne has been named managing director of this newly formed airline company. He said: “By incorporating both airline sunder one name, we will now operate 65 planes to more than 80 destinations from 21 airports in the UK.”

Thomsonfly was launched in December of 2003, when the marketing of the brand was handled by Maria Heckle. In August 2006 the position of marketing director for Thomsonfly was axed, and overall marketing responsibilities were assumed by Andrew Rayner, Thomson’s head of marketing.

Rayner subsequently left after the formation of TUI Travel, with Tim Willamson’s appointment as head of marketing and product.

The First Choice and Thomson brands will remain visible on the high street as travel agents, and overseas operation will also continue.