Courtesy Paul Bannon 

Yesterday Monday 4th June Thomson Airways commenced Boeing 787 Dreamliner crew training at Shannon Airport with the arrival of G-TUIB construction number 34423 TOM951/957 routing Prestwick-Shannon-Doncaster arriving at 1250 local parking on taxiway charlie departing at 1332 local.

G-TUIB departed Manchester at 0920 local to Manston, Cardiff, Prestwick prior to arrival in Shannon continuing onwards to Doncaster and Cardiff prior to returning to its Manchester base.

The training flights at Shannon Airport will continue for the next three weeks prior to the aircraft entering revenue service.

Thomson have 8 Boeing 787 Dreamliners on order, G-TUIA was delivered on 30th May followed by G-TUIB on 31st May. The Thomson 787 Dreamliner will carry 291 passengers and is configured with 47 seats in the airline’s Premium Club cabin and 244 seats in the Economy Club cabin.

On July 8, Thomson’s first long-haul Dreamliner flights will operate from Manchester to Florida and Glasgow to Cancun.

The 787 Dreamliner is composed of light-weight composites and features numerous systems, engine and aerodynamic advancements, making it more efficient to operate compared with its competition. It is the first mid-sized airplane capable of flying long-range routes, providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs and enabling airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by passengers.

Thomson Airways is part of the TUI Travel PLC and is the UK’s third largest airline operating 58 aircraft

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 5th June 2013 All Rights Reserved.