Bad news for us for this winter then- BMI baby pulling their flights to Malaga from cardiff and now no FC flights from Bristol. Our choice is becoming limited

Obviously it's looking like this is going to be happening more and more often, as all these companies fight for our business

It does make you wonder though if it is falling holiday maker numbers that forces these situations??

I think Tui group are concentrating on the German market, it seems Brits that travel with this group subsidise the Germans, I know some time back, the Germans were moaning that the flights were too expensive. Also I think flybe are trying to take over Exeter airport and maybe forcing TUI out....who really knows. It comes to something when even the First Choice travel agents know nothing about it. I will hate spending a day travelling to London. My only hope is that Easy Jet will still do the Funchal journey from Bristol. Would have to travel with EJ against my better judgement. I wish there was a way I could tell all the people who travel from Exeter. They are going to be one p'd off bunch.

it seems Brits that travel with this group subsidise the Germans

- any numbers ready to back that claim up to save me checking? One reason why TUI may be concentrating on the German market is that their economy is in much better condition than the UK and people there are more likely to spend on holidays, especially since the £ is so weak. Any international company will simply follow the money.

When you say the two other operators have pulled their flights, do you mean they were on sale and some people already had tickets or that they just aren't flying this winter when people assumed they would be? If they've cancelled flights that people were already booked on it's poor but if they just decided not to go and never sold anything it's tough. Madeira just isn't that popular in this country, my brother went about 15 years ago but other than that I don't know anyone else who's been. You've probably put your finger on why they have decided not to fly - easyjet have made life hard for them!

I shall move this topic from the Tour Operators forum to the Flights forum which is more relevant.

luci

Same as our local airport, DT Valley, Ok if you want to go to Amsterdam, Southampton Abedeen, only a few other holiday flights. Such a shame

Trust it to be my airport! I'll never be able to go away soon

CourtneeLouise xx

Hi Madeira-addict

I too am addicted to that place and am having real problems trying to get a straight answer from Easyjet re there 2011/2012 winter schedule from Stansted to Funchal. flights are only on sale to 1st November 2011 - have asked if they are going to be on sale after that date as always spend New year there - just keep getting fobbed off with "haven't been allocated airtraffic slots" and "new shedules go on sale 2 - 3 months before" it doesn't confirm that flights will be on sale-

my dilema is - should I book out of gatwick - which is not my most favourite place to fly from - or wait to see if they become available from STN - problem is - flights have been on sale some months now from Gatwick-Madeira and going up in price weekly. I am in danger of waiting for a non-existant schedule to appear and having to pay higher prices or not getting a seat at all out of Gatwick.

Last year I had already purchased my new year flights 2010 in May 2010.....

thanks

I think you should book your flights asap, as you know the flight to Funchal are very popular, despite what someone said on this post. I know it will be more expensive but better to pay than not get a flight at all, especially if it is for New Year, a time not to be missed on the lovely island. I did hear that sometimes the airlines re-instate the flights, but when/if there is only one a week, as from Bristol and Exeter, it is too chancey to leave. Like you we have always booked our flights very early. For our September holiday in Madeira we got the last two seats on Easy Jet out of Bristol. We are due to go again the first week of December and have had to book again with Easy Jet.. If it were me I would book from wherever you can, having said that, there is no way will I travel from Devon to Stanstead or any of the London airports, it adds another day of travel and all the stress it involves, it sort of negates the restful holiday.
I wish you luck in booking. The only other option available to you is to go from Heathrow (if you can stand it) and book with TAP airlines, much the superior way to get to Funchal and they are used to landing in those horrid crosswinds. Please let me know how you get on.

Hi MadeiraAddict

thanks for your reply - decided to simply book out of Gatwick as prices rising - so am all booked for New Year!! - I really don't think they will fly out of Stansted after 1st November, that's simply my opinion and no firm confirmation from Easyjet - playing hard to get!!....but fingers crossed....so my next booking after that will be for May 2012..so who knows which airport I will fly from is anyone's guess....

you are right - I couldn't bear flying out of Heathrow, too far, too big and always too expensive!!

Have a great time back in your "paradise"

many thanks again

Thanks sunnyatlantic,hope you enjoy. Nice to be in touch,