Austria
modernisation and expansion of its airline fleet
- Modernisation and expansion of aircraft fleet to deliver growth and broaden choice for customers
- Group confirms option for ten new 737 MAX 8s
- Additional order for one new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft
- Aircraft fleet upgrade supports carbon emission reduction targets as outlined in the sustainability strategy 2015-2020
The TUI Group continues to modernise and expand its airline business with an order finalised with Boeing today for ten new 737 MAX 8s and one new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The order also includes an option for one additional 787-9 Dreamliner. This order for the 737 MAX confirms ten of the 60 options from the original 2013 order.
The new 787-9 aircraft will be positioned in the UK, with the 737 MAX 8s supporting the growing short haul fleet across five airlines within TUI Group’s One Aviation programme.
David Burling, Member of the Executive Board and responsible for TUI Group Airlines said, “We are committed to investing in our aircraft fleet in order to keep improving our customer’s experience and to grow ahead of the market. This includes the expansion of our long-haul holiday programme and providing more choice of flight times and durations to new destinations.”
The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. TUI UK and Ireland welcomed the arrival last week of its tenth Boeing Dreamliner, and its first 787-9. The 787-9 is six metres longer than the 787-8 and includes 45 more seats, so will carry 345 customers. Adding the extra 787-9 to the order book enables TUI Group’s airlines to continue to develop the long-haul network to destinations from Jamaica and Dominican Republic to Mexico, with the same exceptional environmental performance.
TUI Group last year announced its five year sustainability strategy, ‘Better Holidays, Better World 2015-2020’ built around three core pillars to help shape the future of sustainable tourism. As one pillar, TUI aims to operate Europe’s most carbon efficient airlines and reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 10% by 2020. The 737 MAX 8s incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and customer comfort in the single-aisle market. The new aircraft will deliver 20 percent lower fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace and the lowest operating costs in its class. David continued, “With the 737 MAX 8s, we will be able to carry our short-haul customers further, in greater comfort, more efficiently and with an even lower environmental impact. The new aircraft will contribute significantly towards fulfilling our commitment to further reducing the carbon intensity of our operations.”
“TUI Group’s customers have benefited from the unrivaled passenger features on board the 787-8, since they became the UK launch customer in 2013,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “The addition of 787-9s to its fleet will provide TUI Group with greater flexibility across its route network, while the 737 MAX will ensure it remains at the forefront of the European leisure market.”
There are six airlines in the TUI Group flying 13 million customers per year, serving more than 180 destinations around the world. The airlines operate over 140 medium and long-haul aircraft including more than 100 Next-Generation 737s and thirteen 787s.
