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TUI Airways Limited[5] (formerly Thomson Airways Limited) is the British arm of the TUI airline group, which is owned and operated by the TUI Group. They offer scheduled and charter flights from the United Kingdom and Ireland to destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

Key Information

The airline is the fourth largest UK airline by total passengers carried, after EasyJet, British Airways and Jet2.com. It is also the world's tenth largest airline by number of route pairings served.[6] TUI Airways holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Type A Operating Licence permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats. Its head office and registered office is Wigmore House in Luton, Bedfordshire.

History

[edit]
A former Thomson branded Boeing 767-300ER in "Dynamic Wave" livery (2013)
TUI Airways Boeing 787-8 on approach in Phuket (2019)

Foundation and early years

[edit]

TUI Airways has its origins in several rival airlines. Euravia (later renamed Britannia Airways in December 1964[7]) was founded in January 1962.[8] Orion Airways, founded in 1979 by Horizon Holidays and later owned by the large brewing firm Bass Brewery and InterContinental Hotels Group, was sold and merged with Britannia Airways in 1989 but retained the Britannia name. (These events happened before TUI came to the UK.)

Britannia was rebranded to Thomsonfly in May 2005 as its parent company Thomson Travel Group was bought by TUI Group as part of a wider reorganisation of TUI's operations in the UK.[9] Air 2000 was founded in 1987, and integrated the operations of Leisure International Airways in 1998. They became First Choice Airways in 2004 after being bought by First Choice and became their in-house airline.[10]

Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways merged following the merger of the travel divisions of TUI Group and First Choice Holidays in September 2007. The Thomson Airways brand was launched for the combined airline on 1 November 2008.[11]

The new brand retained the Thomsonfly colour scheme, and aircraft in the fleet were gradually repainted. Several First Choice Airways aircraft remained in the First Choice livery as they were due to be phased out of service. A new livery, named "Dynamic Wave" (which will also be applied on Thomson Cruises ships), was introduced in May 2012.[12]

TUI Airways became the first UK airline to take delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, receiving the first aircraft in May 2013.[13] Passenger services with the aircraft began on 21 June 2013 with a flight between London Gatwick and Menorca.[14] Also in 2013, the parent group TUI Travel, now known as TUI Group, ordered 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery to group airlines.[15]

Rebranding and latest developments

[edit]

On 13 May 2015, it was announced by the TUI Group that all five of TUI's airline subsidiaries would be named TUI, whilst keeping their separate Air Operators Certificate, a process taking over three years to complete. TUI Airways was the last airline to be completed in late 2017.[16] The rebrand began in mid 2016, with the addition of the new 'TUI' titles to its fleet.[17][18]

In December 2016, Thomson Holidays launched their final television advertisement using the 'Thomson' brand, before integrating into the 'TUI' brand.[19] During the rebrand in 2017, the "TOMSON" callsign was dropped and replaced with "TUI AIR" and then changed again to "TOMJET".[20]

In May 2017, the brand TUI Airways began to be used in several areas and was implemented on all flight tracker applications. Most of the aircraft had been branded with 'TUI' titles, and onboard items such as glasses and napkins carried the new brand. Thomson Airways officially changed its legal name to TUI Airways on 2 October 2017.[5] TUI's sister company, TUI UK (formerly Thomson Holidays), ceased using the 'Thomson' brand, adopting the TUI UK brand on 18 October 2017.[21]

In November 2023, TUI Airways retired their last Boeing 767 as the sole remaining passenger operator in the United Kingdom.[22]

During May 2025, TUI UK published details of package holidays including flights to be operated by 'Thomson Airways', suggesting a leaked rebrand of the airline to TUI's former flagship UK brand, Thomson. As of 23 May 2025, details were amended to display flights operated by TUI Airways.[citation needed]

Corporate affairs

[edit]
Wigmore House, the head office of TUI Airways near Luton

Head office

[edit]

The airline's head office is in the Wigmore House near Luton, Bedfordshire.[23] The facility is adjacent to Luton Airport.[24]

Overview

[edit]

The airline is part of a single-branded group, being the product of two mergers: the travel division of TUI Group with First Choice Holidays in September 2007 to form TUI Travel, under which their respective airlines, Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways, were merged under the former's Air Operator's Certificate in May 2008 and rebranded as Thomson Airways on 1 November 2008.

The investable enterprise and overall leadership formally merged with TUI to form London (LSE) and Frankfurt (DAX) listed TUI Group since December 2014. TUI Airways officially changed its legal name from Thomson Airways to TUI Airways on 2 October 2017.[5] This was in line with TUI airline sister companies TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands and TUI fly Nordic.

Business figures

[edit]
Year Total passengers (m) Total flights (k) Load factor Passenger change (YoY)
2005* 15.5 82.9 88.6%
2006* 15.1 83.5 88.4% Decrease2.4%
2007* 15.0 82.3 89.1% Decrease0.8%
2008 12.2 65.3 91.1% Decrease18.5%
2009 11.2 59.1 90.2% Decrease8.1%
2010 10.9 56.5 89.9% Decrease2.4%
2011 11.0 57.7 89.3% Increase0.8%
2012 10.7 54.3 92.0% Decrease3.1%
2013 10.5 54.9 92.4% Decrease1.4%
2014 10.3 54.2 93.0% Decrease1.7%
2015 10.6 53.8 93.8% Increase2.4%
2016 10.9 55.2 94.1% Increase3.1%
2017 11.2 57.6 93.5% Increase2.9%
2018 11.1 58.3 92.8% Decrease 0.7%
2019 11.8 60.6 92.9% Increase 5.8%
2020 2.0 10.6 88.0% Decrease 82.9%
2021 2.0 13.8 73.9% Increase 0.2%
2022 11.2 61.2 88.6% Increase 458.6%
2023 11.5 60.1 91.0% Increase 1.4%
2024 12.0 64.2 91.1% Increase 4.9%
* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes First Choice Airways
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority [6]

Destinations

[edit]

Most scheduled flights operated by TUI Airways are on behalf of tour operators. The airline offers flights to destinations around the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean from 19 base airports in the United Kingdom. Additionally, seasonal charter routes are served from Copenhagen,[25] Dublin,[26] Helsinki,[27] Oslo[28] and Stockholm.[29]

Codeshare agreements

[edit]

TUI Airways has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[30]

Fleet

[edit]

Current fleet

[edit]

As of August 2025, TUI Airways operates the following aircraft:[31][32][33]

TUI Airways Limited fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
W Y Total
Boeing 737-800 33 — — 189 189 Older aircraft to be retired.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 23 11
Boeing 737 MAX 10 — 28[34] TBA Deliveries delayed due to certification issues.[35]
Boeing 787-8 8 1 47 253 300 OO-JDL to replace G-TUID.
— 325 325
Boeing 787-9 5 — 63 282 345
Total 69 40

Seasonal leasing

[edit]

In 2023, TUI Group and Enter Air agreed to set up a joint venture wet-lease ACMI operator called Fly4. The Irish-based airline, which is set to take off in spring 2024, will take on three TUI Airways Boeing 737-800s plus one from TUI fly Belgium, and lease them back to TUI Airways during the peak summer seasons. These aircraft will then be leased to other airlines during the winter schedule when TUI operations are not at high demand.[citation needed] TUI had previously also leased multiple Airbus A320-200 aircraft for the summer 2023 season to cover for the delay in Boeing 737 MAX deliveries.[36] In December 2024, TUI Airways announced it has ordered 14 additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft sign leased from BOC Aviation, to help cover the absence of the delayed MAX 10 aircraft. Older Boeing 737-800s are due to retire. It has been announced these aircraft will be delivered between 2025 and 2026.[citation needed]

Historical fleet

[edit]

TUI Airways formerly operated the following aircraft:[citation needed]

TUI Airways historical fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Airbus A320-200 5 2009 2012 Inherited from First Choice Airways.
Airbus A321-200 2 2009 2013 Inherited from First Choice Airways.
Boeing 737-300 8 2008 2012 Inherited from Thomsonfly.
Boeing 757-200 31 2008 2021 Inherited from Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways.
Replaced by Boeing 737 MAX.
Boeing 767-300ER 17 2008 2023 Last two remaining retired in November 2023.
Replaced by Boeing 787.[22]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On 20 October 2023, TUI Airways Flight 3551, a Boeing 737-800 (registered as G-TAWD), skidded off the runway while attempting to land at Leeds Bradford Airport in heavy rain caused by Storm Babet. There were no injuries reported, but the airport subsequently closed while the aircraft was recovered. The airport reopened on 21 October 2023.[37][38] The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.[38]
  • On 4 March 2024, TUI Airways Flight 6114, a Boeing 737-800 (registered as G-FDZS) barely cleared the A38 road by less than 100ft during take off at Bristol Airport.[39][40] The AAIB determined that the plane's autothrottle was disconnected uncommanded due to a known fault with voltage being supplied to the autothrottle servo motor in 737s.[41]

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

TUI Airways

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
TUI Airways is a British , providing scheduled and flights from bases in the and to over 100 destinations in , , , and . As a of the , it operates within a network of five airlines that collectively manage around 130 medium- and long-haul , including the largest fleet of 787 Dreamliners among airlines. The maintains a fleet of 68 all- , comprising models such as the 8 for short- and medium-haul routes and the Boeing 787 for long-haul services, configured with premium and cabins to enhance passenger comfort on holiday flights. TUI Airways traces its origins to with the founding of its predecessor airline, which later became part of the through mergers and rebrandings including as and Thomson Airways before adopting its current name in October 2017 to align with the group's unified branding. It has been certified as a 3-Star Airline by for its seat comfort, cabin services, and overall product quality in the leisure sector.

History

Foundation and early operations

TUI Travel PLC was formed in September 2007 through the merger of TUI AG's tourism division and First Choice Holidays PLC, a transaction announced in March 2007 and approved by the European Commission in June 2007. This corporate integration set the stage for consolidating the airlines of both entities—Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways—into a unified operation serving as the charter arm of the new group. On 1 May 2008, Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways began operating under a single UK Civil Aviation Authority Air Operator's Certificate held by Thomsonfly, enabling streamlined administration and resource sharing. The merged airline was officially rebranded as Thomson Airways on 1 November 2008, marking the creation of the UK's largest charter carrier at the time with a focus on supporting TUI Travel's leisure holiday packages. Full operational amalgamation followed on 1 May 2009, allowing the airline to commence integrated services under the new identity. The early fleet of Thomson Airways comprised Boeing 737-800s for short-haul routes, 757-200s for medium-haul, and 767-300s for longer sectors, totaling around 64 inherited from Thomsonfly alone, with additional assets from . Primary bases were at London Gatwick and , facilitating departures from multiple regional airports to enhance accessibility for holidaymakers. Key milestones in the foundational period included the from the 2007 acquisition, the introduction of scheduled services alongside charters starting in 2009, and fleet expansion to over 50 by 2010 through new deliveries and efficiencies. Operations centered on charter flights to popular Mediterranean destinations such as , , and , departing from regional airports to serve TUI Travel's package holiday clientele. This structure provided the basis for subsequent rebranding to align with the broader identity.

Rebranding and expansion

Following the 2014 merger between TUI Travel PLC and TUI AG, Thomson Airways was integrated into the newly formed , which consolidated its tourism operations under a unified brand structure. This all-share merger created the world's leading integrated leisure company, enabling streamlined operations and the gradual phase-out of sub-brands like Thomson across markets. The integration positioned Thomson Airways as a key component of the group's airline division, facilitating coordinated growth in flight services tied to TUI's holiday packages. A major expansion milestone came in 2012 when Thomson Airways announced the introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for long-haul routes, with the first aircraft delivered in May 2013, making it the inaugural UK leisure carrier to operate the type. The Dreamliner fleet enabled efficient operations to distant destinations, supporting increased capacity on transatlantic and other extended routes. By 2017, the airline had grown its network to serve from 15 UK airports, contributing to a rise in annual passenger numbers to 11.3 million. In October 2017, Thomson Airways completed its rebranding to TUI Airways on 2 October, aligning fully with the TUI Group's single-brand strategy and mirroring changes at sister airlines. This included repainting the fleet in a new TUI featuring a dynamic wave design, along with a campaign emphasizing seamless integration with TUI holidays. The rebrand marked the culmination of efforts started post-merger to unify the group's identity. Strategically, TUI Airways shifted toward balancing flights with more scheduled services during 2010–2017, reflecting broader industry trends among carriers to offer year-round options. This evolution supported entry into North American markets, including expanded routes to such as Cancun starting in 2015, operated via the Dreamliner for improved long-haul efficiency. These developments enhanced connectivity for TUI's holiday portfolio while boosting overall capacity.

Recent developments

In response to the , TUI Airways grounded its entire fleet in March 2020, suspending all flight operations in line with guidelines. The utilized the 's , furloughing approximately 11,000 staff members, including nearly all of its travel agency employees, to mitigate financial strain during the shutdown. Operations resumed gradually in mid-2020, but capacity remained severely limited; by summer 2021, TUI Airways operated at around 60% of pre-pandemic levels amid ongoing travel restrictions and rules. Post-pandemic recovery accelerated in 2022 and 2023, with the airline returning to near-full operations by 2023, carrying 11.5 million passengers compared to 11.8 million in 2019. In 2024, passenger numbers rose to approximately 12.0 million. As part of fleet rationalization, TUI Airways retired its last 767-300ER aircraft on October 31, 2023, marking the end of nearly 40 years of service for the type in its operations. To support ongoing recovery and modernization, the airline confirmed orders for aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2025 through a lease agreement for 14 8s. In late 2025, TUI Airways expanded its route network with new services, including a launch to Fuerteventura in Spain's Canary Islands from Cardiff Airport in December 2025 and to Hurghada in Egypt from the same base in May 2026, enhancing options for winter sun destinations. However, the airline also axed several routes for summer 2025 to optimize its schedule, including reductions from London Gatwick and Bristol Airports to destinations like Saint Lucia and Cape Verde. Strategic sustainability initiatives gained momentum, with TUI Airways incorporating 1,700 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its operations during the 2024 financial year, equivalent to avoiding the emissions from conventional for the same volume. Fleet modernization continued into 2025-2026, focusing on the integration of more fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce environmental impact and align with long-term decarbonization goals.

Corporate affairs

Headquarters and ownership

TUI Airways is headquartered at Wigmore House, located at in , , . The airline relocated its registered office to this site on 2 October 2017 from its previous location at TUI Travel House in the Crawley Business Quarter, Fleming Way, , . This move aligned with the broader integration efforts following the rebranding and organizational changes within the . TUI Airways operates as a wholly owned of , a German-based multinational conglomerate headquartered in . The full ownership structure was established through the 2014 merger between TUI AG and PLC, which was completed on 17 December 2014, creating a unified entity with TUI AG shareholders holding 56.4% and former shareholders holding 43.6%. This merger consolidated control over TUI's airline operations, including TUI Airways, under the umbrella. The airline is legally registered as TUI Airways Limited in , with company number 00444359, having been incorporated on 28 October 1947. It holds a United Kingdom (CAA) Type A Operating Licence, which authorizes scheduled and charter flights for the carriage of passengers, cargo, and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats. Within the TUI Group, TUI Airways serves as the primary airline for the and markets, forming the UK and Ireland arm of the group's airline division. It coordinates operations with sister airlines, such as TUI fly in , , the , and , to support the group's integrated leisure travel services across .

Management and governance

TUI Airways, as a wholly owned of , operates under the oversight of the TUI AG Executive Board, which consists of five members responsible for strategic direction across the group's airlines and tour operations. The board is led by Sebastian , appointed in 2022 and reappointed in November 2024 for a term extending to 2028, alongside other members including Mathias Kiep and CEO of Markets & Airlines David Schelp, who joined the executive board in January 2024 to lead airline activities. At the local level, TUI Airways maintains a committee to ensure compliance with regulations and broader corporate standards. Key executives for TUI Airways include Neil Swanson, Managing Director of TUI UK & Ireland since October 2024, who oversees the airline's integration within the regional tour operations, and Brendan Kelly, Director of Airline Operations appointed in August 2023, with a background in aviation finance and operational strategy. Schelp, with prior experience in digital and growth strategies at TUI Musement, brings expertise in aviation transformation to the subsidiary's leadership. Governance practices emphasize adherence to the for its UK-based operations, alongside TUI Group's dual-board structure under German stock corporation law, featuring a 20-member chaired by . The group prioritizes diversity, targeting 35% female representation in management positions by 2026, with baseline measurements established in 2024 to track progress across subsidiaries including TUI Airways. frameworks integrate safety protocols compliant with standards and sustainability initiatives, such as emission reduction targets, embedded in annual corporate reports. Recent changes include the 2024 appointment of Schelp to bolster airline efficiency and digital integration post-COVID recovery, alongside reappointments to the executive board for continuity in navigating market volatility.

Financial performance

TUI Airways, as part of TUI Group's Markets & Airlines segment, has shown steady growth in recent years, contributing significantly to the overall operations. In Q3 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), the segment reported of €5.38 billion, marking a 6.8% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by strong demand for integrated packages that combine flights with accommodations and services. Profitability within the airline operations has improved markedly post-pandemic. The underlying EBIT for the Markets & Airlines segment reached €49.7 million in Q3 2025, reflecting robust . For the full year FY 2025 (ended September 30, 2025), preliminary results show underlying EBIT of €1,459 million, exceeding prior guidance of 9-11% growth and up 12.6% year-over-year at constant currency; segment-specific details are pending full report release on December 10, 2025. Group revenue reached €24.2 billion, up 4.4% year-over-year. The segment carried approximately 21 million passengers in FY 2025, approaching pre-pandemic levels of around 25 million group-wide. Key drivers of this performance include the post-COVID recovery, with higher load factors and pricing power in leisure travel. Cost savings from fleet modernization, such as the transition to more fuel-efficient aircraft, have reduced operating expenses per seat kilometer. Additionally, effective —covering approximately 70% of requirements for 2025—has mitigated volatility in prices, stabilizing margins amid fluctuating energy markets. The segment faced significant challenges during the early pandemic period, recording losses of approximately €2.0 billion in FY 2020 due to widespread travel restrictions and grounded fleets. These setbacks have been offset by substantial growth, with group-wide underlying EBIT rising 38% to €321 million in Q3 2025, underscoring the resilience and recovery of TUI Airways' integrated model.

Operations

Route network

TUI Airways operates from 24 primary hubs across the , including major airports such as London Gatwick, , and Birmingham, as well as secondary bases in like . As of summer 2025, TUI Airways operates from Irish airports including , but plans to shift to partner airlines for from summer 2026. These airports serve as departure points for a network spanning over 100 destinations in more than 30 countries, with seasonal expansions that can increase the total to around 120 routes during peak periods. The airline's route network emphasizes short-haul flights, which account for the majority of its operations, primarily to popular European leisure destinations such as (including and ), , and . Long-haul services, comprising a smaller portion, connect to farther afield locations like , the (particularly ), , and . In 2025, the network saw additions including new routes to in , as well as to Orlando and in , , enhancing connectivity to emerging holiday spots. Conversely, some routes were discontinued for summer 2025, as part of schedule optimizations affecting select European and African destinations. TUI Airways' strategy blends charter services, which support TUI Group's holiday packages and form the core of its leisure-focused model, with scheduled flights available for independent travelers. High-frequency operations underscore key routes, for instance, with daily flights to Palma de Mallorca from multiple UK hubs during the summer season, contributing to dozens of weekly departures overall to this top destination. This approach ensures flexibility for both package holidays and standalone bookings, while partnerships occasionally extend reach to additional points.

Partnerships and codeshares

TUI Airways maintains codeshare agreements with several airlines to expand its connectivity, particularly for holiday packages offered through the . Notable partnerships include those with and , enabling passengers to access additional routes operated by these carriers under TUI flight codes. Similarly, codeshares with and support enhanced travel options to key European and long-haul destinations. Within the TUI Group, TUI Airways collaborates closely with sister airlines such as , facilitating interline connections across and beyond for seamless group travel. Additionally, a partnership with integrates TUI's tour offerings into the Mexican carrier's Ya Vas travel agency, allowing for bundled flight and activity extensions to . Interline agreements further bolster TUI Airways' network by incorporating flights from and as feeder services for UK domestic and short-haul connections, enhancing access to TUI's core leisure routes. These arrangements provide passengers with broader options beyond TUI's proprietary network. Strategically, these partnerships enable expansions such as increased Canadian connectivity. Joint ventures within the , including integrations with TUI Hotels, facilitate seamless transfers from flights to accommodations, improving overall holiday experiences without disrupting core route operations. Beyond codeshares, TUI Airways engages in wet-lease collaborations with smaller carriers to manage peak-season capacity, such as agreements with Fly2Sky for summer 2025 operations across Europe. Similar deals, such as with for , provide additional A320 capacity during high-demand periods like and , focusing solely on temporary operational support rather than long-term fleet expansion.

Fleet

Current fleet

As of November 2025, TUI Airways operates a fleet of approximately 61 all-Boeing active aircraft, consisting of narrow-body models for short- and medium-haul routes and wide-body aircraft for long-haul operations. The current fleet composition is detailed in the following table:
Aircraft TypeIn ServiceSeatsRole
Boeing 737-80030189Short-haul
Boeing 737 MAX 821197Short-haul
Boeing 787-8/910345Long-haul
The Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 are configured in an economy-only layout, while the and 787-9 models include a premium cabin with 34 seats and the remainder in . The average fleet age stands at 10.2 years. TUI Airways has 33 on order, with initial deliveries commencing in late 2025 to gradually replace older . All feature the airline's signature with a blue tail fin, and long-haul are equipped with connectivity and in-flight entertainment systems introduced in 2023. The fleet was fully retired in 2025 following the last passenger flight on January 3, 2025.

Seasonal and leased aircraft

To meet peak summer demand, TUI Airways employs wet-leasing arrangements to temporarily expand its fleet, primarily sourcing aircraft and crews from affiliates and third-party operators. For the 2025 season, the airline incorporated four 737-800s on wet-lease from Irish charter carrier Fly4 Airlines, each configured with 189 seats to align with TUI's specifications, operating from to to support regional departures from Birmingham, , and airports. This addition, combined with four A320-family aircraft wet-leased from Fly2Sky under a contract, helped grow the effective fleet size beyond 75 aircraft during the high season, integrating seamlessly with the airline's owned -centric operations. These short-term leases, typically lasting 3-6 months, focus on wet-lease models that include crew, maintenance, and to ensure operational consistency on high-season routes to popular destinations like and . Dry-leases remain uncommon for TUI Airways, as the wet-lease approach allows for rapid scalability without long-term commitments. Ongoing relationships with providers such as further enable this flexibility, with TUI carriers securing favorable terms in a 2025 lease dispute resolution that affirmed continued ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, ) collaborations across the group. In 2025, TUI Airways initiated new leasing for Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with deliveries of up to 14 units from lessor starting that year to trial and integrate these fuel-efficient models into peak operations. Complementing this, the airline pursued maintenance partnerships through Joramco for E190-E2 aircraft within the broader framework, marking the provider's first handling of this type to support seasonal reliability.

Historical fleet

TUI Airways, formerly known as Thomson Airways, inherited a diverse fleet from its predecessors, including Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways, which featured a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft for short- and long-haul charter operations. In the Thomsonfly era, the airline operated Boeing 737-300 aircraft, with a fleet of 11 units configured for 148 passengers each, primarily on short- and medium-haul routes; these were gradually phased out in the early 2010s as the carrier transitioned to newer models. Similarly, Boeing 737-400 variants were part of the early fleet from the predecessor operations, retired by the mid-2010s to streamline efficiency. The shift toward a more uniform Boeing-centric fleet began around 2013, following the retirement of the last Airbus A321-200 (two units inherited from First Choice Airways in 2009 and retired in 2013), marking the end of non-Boeing types in regular service. Among the early Boeing types, the Boeing 757-200 served as a cornerstone for medium-haul flights, with TUI Airways operating a peak of 31 aircraft introduced in 2008 through inheritance and acquisitions; these were configured with up to 235 seats and retired progressively through the 2020s, with the final unit withdrawn on January 3, 2025, after operating its last passenger flight. For long-haul operations dating back to the 1990s, the Boeing 767-300ER was a key asset, with a cumulative total of 18 units operated by TUI Airways, supporting destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas; all were retired by October 31, 2023, with the last aircraft ferried to Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen Airport for storage or repurposing. This retirement concluded TUI Airways' wide-body operations with the type, which had been the last passenger-configured 767s in the UK. Over its history since 2008, TUI Airways and its predecessors managed more than 100 aircraft across these retired types, reflecting a strategic evolution from a mixed fleet to an all-Boeing narrow- and wide-body operation by the mid-2010s, though the full phase-out of older models like the Boeing 737-800 began in 2025 amid deliveries of newer Boeing 737 MAX variants. The 757-200 and 767-300ER retirements, in particular, facilitated a focus on fuel-efficient aircraft, with many former units repurposed for cargo or stored internationally.

Incidents and accidents

Major accidents

TUI Airways has not recorded any fatal accidents or hull losses since its formation in 2008 as Thomson Airways. The airline's safety record remains exemplary, with all reported events classified as serious incidents rather than major accidents involving or total destruction. The closest event to a major accident occurred on 20 October 2023, when TUI Airways Flight BY3551, operated by a 737-8K5 registered G-TAWD, experienced a during landing at (LBA) amid Storm Babet's high winds. The , arriving from (CFU) with 187 passengers and six crew, veered left off runway 14 during rollout, coming to a stop with its and main on grass beside the pavement. No injuries were reported among occupants, and the sustained only minor damage, primarily to the nose and lower . The UK's (AAIB) determined the primary cause as a of a nosewheel bearing, which generated severe vibrations and compromised directional control. This mechanical failure occurred likely during the initial rollout phase, exacerbated by conditions gusting up to 38 knots. The investigation noted that the flight crew's application of and brakes was appropriate for the conditions but could have been more aggressive to counteract the deviation; however, the sudden bearing failure significantly limited recovery options. The was repaired and returned to service following inspections, with no broader fleet-wide implications identified.

Notable incidents

In November 2024, the UK's (AAIB) released a report on a serious incident involving TUI Airways Flight BY2258, a 737-800 operating from to on October 17, 2023, where the aircraft failed to pressurize due to bleed air switches being left in the off position following recent on the air-conditioning packs. The crew received a cabin altitude warning at 130 and promptly aborted the climb, returning safely to with all 193 passengers and crew uninjured. The AAIB cited the incident to an engineering oversight during post-maintenance checks, prompting TUI Airways to conduct fleet-wide inspections of systems to prevent recurrence, in line with (EASA) guidelines. On December 21, 2023, TUI Airways Flight BY173, a 787-8 registered G-TUIB, experienced a minimum fuel situation during diversion to (BHX) amid adverse weather and windshear. The flight from Cancun (CUN) to (MAN) with 291 passengers and 10 crew declared a fuel emergency after a at BHX, landing below final reserve fuel levels due to prior diversion decisions and airport handling delays. The AAIB's report (February 13, 2025) highlighted issues in fuel management and priority landing procedures, but all occupants landed safely without injury. In response, TUI Airways implemented enhanced fuel management protocols across its widebody fleet, including additional training and verification procedures compliant with EASA standards. Several operational disruptions occurred in 2025 without injuries. On July 28, a 737-800 (flight BY7113) departing for Birmingham suffered a burst tyre during takeoff, leading to an diversion to where the aircraft landed safely but blocked the temporarily. TUI Airways responded with immediate inspections of tyre pressures and takeoff configurations on all 737s in its fleet. On September 28, Flight BY6754, a 737-800 from to , , suffered a bird strike shortly after departure, damaging an engine and necessitating an diversion to with all aboard unharmed. TUI confirmed the incident as a bird strike with no independent engine failure. These events triggered comprehensive engine and bird ingestion checks across TUI's narrowbody operations, ensuring EASA-mandated airworthiness. No major incidents reported as of November 2025.

References

  1. https://www.tui.co.uk/flight/flying-with-us/our-fleet
  2. https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airlines/tui-airways-by
  3. https://www.tuigroup.com/en/about-us/airline
  4. https://www.planespotters.net/airline/TUI-Airways
  5. https://www.tui.co.uk/press/thomson-changing-tui
  6. https://skytraxratings.com/airlines/tui-airways-rating
  7. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/first-choice-to-merge-with-germanys-tui-idUSNOA932684/
  8. https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tui-and-first-choice-merger-complete-03-sep-2007
  9. https://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m4600_20070604_20212_en.pdf
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/mar/19/travel.travelnews
  11. https://www.marketingweek.com/tui-merges-thomsonfly-and-first-choice-airways-in-the-uk/
  12. https://www.travelmole.com/news/thomson-airways-revealed-as-amalgamated-airline-brand/
  13. https://www.ruudleeuw.com/rem-firstchoice.htm
  14. https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Thomsonfly
  15. https://skybrary.aero/operator/thomson-airways
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