My guess is either BOG on AV or NK or MAN, outside chance would be MEX I guess.

Really been a good year for TPA!

Tampa International Airport has landed one of its coveted nonstop international routes, which will be revealed at a news conference Wednesday.

Airport CEO Joe Lopano, an airline representative, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board Chairman Robert Watkins and others are expected to attend the announcement, slated for 10 a.m. at the airport

The airport has been targeting the six international destinations: Manchester, England; Amsterdam; and Dublin, Ireland; and three in Latin America, Bogota, Colombia; Mexico City and Lima, Peru.

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/08/21/tpa-to-make-major-announcement-for-new-nonstop.html

My guess is EI to DUB or maybe DL to AMS/CDG

Aer lingus to DUB hopefully, id love to sre VS to EDI/GLA but thats just a pipe dream. But all probably id say BOG is nore than likely

deltadudejg wrote:

My guess is EI to DUB or maybe DL to AMS/CDG

I actually didn't think about the DL/AMS angle, I think that's a strong guess, in fact, probably higher over any MEX route given MEX's slot issues.

It won't be CDG, that sounds for sure. They stated it will be a route to one of 6 TPA coveted airports; CDG misses that cut.

AMS/MAN/DUB are the European airports, LIM/BOG/MEX are the Central and South American Airports.

As for DUB, I have seen here from a couple of posters, that AerLingus to DUB is basically out of question for the latest rounds because I think it was revenue guarantee? That TPA doesn't do? Again not sure off-hand just remember reading it.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

As for DUB, I have seen here from a couple of posters, that AerLingus to DUB is basically out of question for the latest rounds because I think it was revenue guarantee? That TPA doesn't do? Again not sure off-hand just remember reading it.

It's most likely AMS or DUB, slight chance of MAN. Anything else would shock the pants off of me.....

There are quite a few possibilities here. I don't have my ear to the ground, but if I were to narrow it down (slightly) it would be:

MAN (MT)
AMS (DL)
DUB (EI)
BOG (AV)

I don't see MEX or LIM now -- slots and distance, respectively.

I see reasons for and against each of the four routes. We'll see tomorrow, unless someone finds a smoking gun.

In any case, it's been a stellar year for the airport, on top of a great half-decade tenure for Lopano so far. On top of managing a billion-dollar renovation, he and his team have landed:

- FRA (LH) - now growing the front cabin

- ZRH (WK) - one of WK's largest long haul markets and a solid niche which gives TPA year-round access to the Swiss network

- KEF (FI) - expanding to 4/w over a 9 month season after a good first round

- HAV (WN) and regular year-round service to two other Cuban cities

- PTY (CM) - which has grown to daily service, slowly but surely -- a real leap, and win, I think

- LGW (DY) - some welcome competition to BA after decades of service

- Long-awaited transcons including SFO, SEA, SAN, SLC, and new competition to LAX

- Two dozen ULCC routes which have stuck around through all the noise.

Impressive when you think about it. They've done a great job riding the recent wave of industry growth, all considered.

Not a smoking gun -- not much at all, really -- but this was the latest gossip to hit the press this summer. BOG service.

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/ne ... about.html

Not a smoking gun, but hearing it's not the above ala BOG. ^^

Oddly enough also one of my first guesses given that link, etc.

Can the EI A321 do TPA-DUB how about DY to Paris

klm617 wrote:

Can the EI A321 do TPA-DUB how about DY to Paris

It won't be CDG as that's not one of their 6 INTL target routes.

And EI doesn't seem super likely given they expressed they wanted revenue guarantees.

klm617 wrote:

Can the EI A321 do TPA-DUB how about DY to Paris

TPA is beyond the reach of the 321, barring any triumphs with the 321LR. DY is possible, now that they're in TPA, but France and Florida have not historically mixed outside of a small corner of South Florida. You could maybe fill up a plane to Paris with TPA vacationers a few dozen times a summer, but this is hardly prime market material, imo. The only way TPA makes these markets work is when there is strong inbound demand to offset the region's relatively weak (if growing) outbound demand.

I'm going to place my bets on MAN seems like a logical fit.

Not gonna lie-----a DL 763ER to AMS would be snore city....even worse, a 757. Can a 757 fly that?

Money is on Spirit or Frontier...

727LOVER wrote:

Not gonna lie-----a DL 763ER to AMS would be snore city....even worse, a 757. Can a 757 fly that?

No, it would have to be a 767.

Watch it be Sun country to some Carribean/ Latin American city

Not likely to be F9, SY, or NL (barring the latter to BOG). If you read the OP, you'll note that TPA has landed one of their six main targets: AMS, DUB, MAN, MEX, BOG, LIM.

727LOVER wrote:

Not gonna lie-----a DL 763ER to AMS would be snore city....even worse, a 757. Can a 757 fly that?

What?! I'd love to see DL 767s back at TPA regularly. The odd ATL sub won't do. Wasn't there a TPA spotter who recently posted a picture of a DL 767 and made an allusion to new service?

NK or B6 to LIM. Watch it happen.

axiom wrote:

727LOVER wrote:

Not gonna lie-----a DL 763ER to AMS would be snore city....even worse, a 757. Can a 757 fly that?

What?! I'd love to see DL 767s back at TPA regularly. The odd ATL sub won't do. Wasn't there a TPA spotter who recently posted a picture of a DL 767 and made an allusion to new service?

vs a Thomas Cook A330 or EI A330?....pass

IB/MAD??

The only other time I can remember this sense of excitement for announcing a new route was when Lufthansa announced FRA. This route really opened up Tampa to mainland Europe with a great hub for connections to Europe and beyond.

Similarly, I think this announcement will be BOG on a carrier that can help Tampa further penetrate the South American market. The obvious guess (and my hope) would be Avianca, but Spirit or another airline could make a play here as well.

The dark horse for such excitement would be Delta starting AMS and implying that they will be committing to the Tampa Bay market more than the 87 daily flights they have to ATL...but this is highly unlikely for now.

Although any new service would be good and celebrated, BOG, whether it should be or not, is a huge deal for TPA and the city.

Lopano isn't typically one to fluff up a short haul route as major so I think it's something big. In order of likelihood:

1. TPA-DUB w/ Aer Lingus
2. TPA-MAN w/ Thomas Cook
3. TPA-CDG w/ Norwegian

On a completely unrelated note, I would definitely not be surprised to see TK here in the next 5 years.

Lopano has been doing an amazing job and really earns his salary. As a resident here, I think he deserves a raise. Excited to see what tomorrow brings.

Several people have already mentioned Norwegian and it's also stated that Paris is very unlikely, however they got more long haul bases. Long shot, but what about Oslo or Barcelona on Norwegian?

Balloonchaser wrote:

Money is on Spirit or Frontier...

That's unlikely given that it's stated it will be an international destination. Frontier doesn't fly international at all and Spirit only has a few international destinations, nothing out of Tampa.

PatrickZ80 wrote:

Several people have already mentioned Norwegian and it's also stated that Paris is very unlikely, however they got more long haul bases. Long shot, but what about Oslo or Barcelona on Norwegian?

Balloonchaser wrote:

Money is on Spirit or Frontier...

That's unlikely given that it's stated it will be an international destination. Frontier doesn't fly international at all and Spirit only has a few international destinations, nothing out of Tampa.

Spirit has quite a few international destinations and Frontier serves places like CUN, PUJ etc.

Seems to me the chatter about Thomas Cook expanding U.S. service from MAN has subsided over the last year but of course that doesn't mean today's announcement won't be TPA-MAN.

Good for Tampa in any case! I'm excited to see what the new service will be.

It's always great to see additional int'l service at any one of the wonderful 'not-the-largest' airports in the U.S.!

bb

This morning, my instincts tell me that it's gotta be a carrier which brings something new and important to TPA's network connectivity. That, and the Mayor does not make regular appearances for these gigs -- he wasn't on hand for FI or DY, nor does he put in appearances at LCC adds.

So, final guesses:
AV to BOG
EI to DUB
DL to AMS

We'll see shortly!

Announcement at 10am.

According to Twitter, Paris is one of TPA's target markets...
"That's a good guess Paris is one of our targets... Is it the right one? We'll see! Tune in at 10 a.m.!"

TPA's Twitter just followed AMS's Twitter page....

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

TPA's Twitter just followed AMS's Twitter page....

There's your smoking gun...

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

TPA's Twitter just followed AMS's Twitter page....

TUI Fly TPA-AMS (?)

tjwgrr wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

TPA's Twitter just followed AMS's Twitter page....

TUI Fly TPA-AMS (?)

Possible, but I would be more surprised if it's not DL.

Crap, they also just followed DUB Airport Twitter right after I posted this. Maybe they trying to throw us off the scent, but AMS did come first.

EDIT - And now BOG and AerLingus. They for sure have a social media person reading this thread who saw the AMS Twitter post and now are just following all possibilities.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

Crap, they also just followed DUB Airport Twitter right after I posted this. Maybe they trying to throw us off the scent, but AMS did come first.

Ha! Makes for a fun morning, anyway.

Edit: and the widget is making other S19 transatlantic announcements today...

It's AMS! Bicycles complemented by DL coloured balloons...

Tampa Airport is live on Facebook. The stage shows 2 old-style bicycles and flowers from a specific country. It seems to be a destination in Europe.

Edit: And now there are some people wearing purple uniforms from a "certain airline"...maybe my dark horse prediction of Delta to AMS is correct

DL to AMS

Here we go!

axiom wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

Crap, they also just followed DUB Airport Twitter right after I posted this. Maybe they trying to throw us off the scent, but AMS did come first.

Ha! Makes for a fun morning, anyway.

Edit: and the widget is making other S19 transatlantic announcements today...

When?

It is official, Delta to AMS

It's DL to AMS

Currently live: Announcement of Delta to start TPA - AMS service

https://www.facebook.com/FlyTPA/videos/ ... 365324971/

cvgComair wrote:

It is official, Delta to AMS

The question is where are the slots going to come from to operate TPA-AMS

DeltaRules wrote:

axiom wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

Crap, they also just followed DUB Airport Twitter right after I posted this. Maybe they trying to throw us off the scent, but AMS did come first.

Ha! Makes for a fun morning, anyway.

Edit: and the widget is making other S19 transatlantic announcements today...

When?

When and where for the other Delta announcements?

Nice, add TPA-AMS!

crazytoaster wrote:

DeltaRules wrote:

axiom wrote:

Ha! Makes for a fun morning, anyway.

Edit: and the widget is making other S19 transatlantic announcements today...

When?

When and where for the other Delta announcements?

Nice, add TPA-AMS!

I saw an announcement that DL has doubled ATL-TLV. Announcements are often done in groups. All I know.

Any info on frequency, equipment, start date? Nothing on the websites of those involved.

So far just seeing Starting Summer 2019 and will be daily. ^^

Starts May 23. Marketing graphic shows a DL 767. The TPA team is usually very meticulous about these details.