Thomas Cook Group Airlines announced on February 8, 2018, that it has increased the capacity for the summer of 2018 by 10%. The company claims the acquisition of Air Berlin (AB1) assets and Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics has helped to achieve the goal of capacity growth in its key markets of Germany and the UK in recent months.

Thomas Cook Group Airlines revealed in a statement that a significant proportion of capacity growth comes from Condor’s, Thomas Cook German airline, upsurge in short and medium haul flights. In January 2018 Condor acquired Air Berlin Aviation GmbH – a subsidiary of the bankrupt German carrier Air Berlin (AB1) – in hopes of boosting its flights in Germany.

“The purchase of the company fits in with Thomas Cook Group Airlines’ plans to expand capacity in the German market due to higher demand,” Noerr, the advisor company to Condor, revealed in a statement on January 4, 2018. “Air Berlin Aviation is to be included in Condor’s summer flight schedule with six planes once the flight permit has been issued. The company is currently hiring pilots and flight attendants for this purpose”.

Now, the situation is unfolding according to the plan, as Air Berlin Aviation GmbH was granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by German aviation authorities earlier in February 2018. The new AOC will allow Condor to fly six additional aircraft from Germany.

Thomas Cook Group Airlines mentions Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics as another source for capacity boost. Announced in October 2017, the upcoming Mallorca-based airline is supposed to operate five aircraft “for use across Thomas Cook’s existing airlines according to demand”. In addition, Thomas Cook Airlines UK will operate one additional aircraft for Summer2018, focusing its growth on short and medium haul destinations.

“This is an opportunity for Thomas Cook Group Airlines to take an important step forward in our growth plans and to secure our position as one of Europe’s leading leisure airlines,” says Christoph Debus, Chief Airlines Officer at Thomas Cook Group. “These new operating platforms mean we are able to increase the choice for customers while improving our flexibility as one European airline”.