On Wednesday 11 December 2019, TUI and Brussels Airlines have announced a new cooperation. Starting this upcoming Christmas holidays, Brussels Airlines will operate flights on behalf of TUI in order to increase the tour operator’s capacity on certain destinations, confirming recent rumours and a statement of Brussels Airlines about the ongoing negotiations.
In order to meet market demand, TUI regularly calls in other airlines to increase the flight capacity of TUI fly. TUI has decided it will cooperate with Brussels Airlines in order to meet market demand in Belgium. An Airbus A320 will increase the existing capacity. Initially, flights operated by Brussels Airlines will fly to Mediterranean holiday destinations.
The new agreement already comes into effect this year-end and the first flights will be operated during the Christmas holidays under a TUI fly flight number. Between December and October, flights operated by Brussels Airlines will mainly be scheduled during the weekends. In the busy summer months of July and August, Brussels Airlines will operate 2 flights per day for TUI fly. The crew will consist of pilots from Brussels Airlines and cabin crew from both Brussels Airlines and TUI fly.
Initially, 14 destinations will be served with flights operated by Brussels Airlines: 6 in Spain, 3 in Greece, 2 in Turkey and one in Morocco, Egypt and Bulgaria. Other destinations may be added afterwards.
Erik Follet, Director of Aviation Planning TUI Benelux: “We are very pleased with this collaboration with our colleagues from Brussels Airlines and we welcome this important partnership for the Belgian sector. These extra flights will allow us to increase our offer to our travelers.”
David Lyssens, Head of Network and Partner Management at Brussels Airlines: “We are very happy with this partnership with TUI. This brings together two major players in the Belgian travel sector to create a qualitative travel experience for holiday-makers.”
11 December 2019
Photos: copyright © Ivan Coninx
