TUI Group welcomed its first Boeing 737 MAX at Brussels Airport [PICS]

This morning, 30 January 2018, TUI Group welcomed its first Boeing 737 MAX, which will be operated by TUI fly Belgium under the name “Tenerife Alegria”. By the end of 2018, a total of 9 aircraft of this type will be delivered to the group, four of which will go to the Belgian airline.

The new aircraft, appropriately registered OO-MAX, took off from Seattle Boeing Field yesterday at 16:11 local time and, without stopping in Reykjavik for refuelling thanks to favourable wind conditions, it landed at 11:02 on runway 25R and made a large tour of the airport before entering the TUI hangar under the water cannon salute of the Airport’s fire brigade.

The fleet of TUI fly Belgium is already the most modern in the country, but thanks to the addition of this new model, its average age will decrease even more. TUI fly Belgium’s fleet now consists of 28 aircraft:

• 1 Boeing 737 MAX 8
• 21 Boeing 737-700 and -800 Next Generation
• 1 Boeing 767-300ER
• 1 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• 4 Embraer E-jet E190

By May 2018, the fleet will be increased with another three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Another Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner should also join the fleet, which will then consist of 32 aircraft. These four new aircraft provide additional jobs for 144 people: pilots, cabin crew and engineers. TUI fly Benelux has also 9 planes registered in The Netherlands, for a total of 41.

TUI Group has ordered a total of 70 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The first one was delivered this morning in the presence of Fritz Joussen, CEO of the Group.

With a capacity of 189 seats, it complements the 21 Boeing 737 NG of TUI fly Belgium, already known for their advanced technology. The 737 MAX combines technological superiority with flight efficiency:

• 14% lower fuel consumption and 14% less CO₂ emissions
• 40% less noise
• new engine with an aerodynamic design
• autonomy increased by 19%: 6500 km (Brussels-Canary Islands and back)

“Tenerife Alegria” will operate it first commercial flight on 5 February 2018 to … Tenerife, of course.

Some pictures of the event (click on the picture to enlarge):

The departure from Seattle:

Text and pictures © André Orban, 30 January 2018