Travel company launches 2019 plans for Birmingham Airport

Ambitious summer expansion programme on the cards from TUI.

TUI UK’s first programme launch after last year’s re-brand reveals ambitious growth plans with an additional aircraft positioned out of Birmingham Airport, an 11% increase in seat numbers and four new routes for summer 2019.

Recognising that not everyone wants to holiday for 7 or 14 nights, customers can find more 10 and 11 night stays thanks to an additional aircraft based in Birmingham. Customers flying from Birmingham Airport will see an increase of almost 120,000 seats offering holidaymakers more choice and flexibility than ever before.

Additional flights to popular destinations have been added to the programme for next summer, there will be more flights to Antalya and Dalaman in Turkey and also to Chania in Greece and Boa Vista in Cape Verde opening up 10 and 11 night holidays to these two destinations for customers flying from Birmingham Airport. Additional flying has been added to Naples (Italy) to support the new homeport for Marella Explorer 2, the new ship from Marella Cruises.

With a dynamic regional aviation plan focussed on mid- and short-haul destinations, new holiday opportunities will be opened up for passengers flying from Birmingham Airport with flights and holidays to four new destinations going on sale. Birmingham Airport will see a 16% share of TUI’s overall passenger growth for summer 2019.

The soaring popularity of Croatia, the enduring appeal and consistent value of Greece and the resurgence of Turkey are reflected in the programme. Flights and holidays to Split (Croatia), Agadir (Morocco), Halkidiki (Greece) and Izmir (Turkey) have all been added to the programme from Birmingham Airport for next summer.

TUI UK’s Commercial Director Richard Sofer said: “Summer 2019 is the most ambitious programme we have ever introduced. We are focusing firmly on expanding access to our amazing range of holidays through an extended regional flying programming concentrated on the core destinations holidaymakers want to travel to, while offering the flexibility of holiday duration they want.

“We’ve increased our capacity by basing an additional aircraft in Birmingham, adding almost 120,000 additional seats and four new routes from Birmingham Airport for summer 2019. We are giving customers even more opportunity when booking their summer holidays with more 10 and 11 night holidays and flagship resorts opening across TUI and First Choice affirming our commitment to our exclusive hotel concepts.”

Tom Screen, Acting Aviation Director for Birmingham Airport, commented: “It’s great to see TUI expanding at Birmingham Airport, offering our passengers more choice to popular summer beach and weekend break destinations. Agadir in Morocco is currently an unserved route from Birmingham so we are particularly delighted to have this addition to our schedule for summer 2019.”