Hanover/Stockholm, 27 February 2018

TUI welcomes the first 737 MAX on bio jet fuel

  • One of the most carbon-efficient flights ever performed by this aircraft type
  • Today delivery of TUI Group’s second Boeing 737 Max 8 – aircraft received by TUI Nordic in Stockholm

TUI today proudly welcomed the first ever 737 MAX delivery flight on bio jet fuel, an important part of TUI’s commitment to the future of sustainable aviation. The flight from the Boeing manufacture in Seattle to Stockholm was performed with 30% blend biofuel. This was one of the most carbon-efficient flights ever accomplished by this aircraft type. The 737 MAX 8 was the second delivery of this aircraft to the world’s leading tourism business, this time to TUI Nordic. One month ago the TUI Group welcomed its very first 737 MAX 8 at TUI Belgium in Brussels. Both aircraft are the initial deliveries of a large fleet renewal at TUI Airlines with a total 72 aircraft and to be completed by 2023.

The massively successful 737 MAX is considered the latest in aviation technology. This aircraft type has 14 percent lower kerosene consumption and therefore 14 percent lower carbon emissions compared to the aircraft of this size previously operated by TUI fly. The aircraft has also a 40 percent smaller noise footprint supporting TUI’s commitment in aviation to sustainability. TUI Group have made a significant investment in their aviation segment and ordered a total of 72 new 737 MAX 8 and 10´s.

“We are committed to collaborating on projects and partnerships that help scale up sustainable aviation fuels. Seeing the Nordic countries are at the forefront of sustainable development, it is very fitting that our very first MAX flight on bio jet fuel touched ground here”, said David Burling, Member of the TUI Group Executive Board, responsible for airlines, and Alex Huber, Managing Director of TUI Nordic.

Long term commitment

A more sustainable approach to aviation is an important part of TUI’s long term sustainability strategy – Better Holidays, Better World. TUI aims to operate Europe’s most carbon efficient airlines and reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 10% by 2020. TUI is currently looking into suppliers in the Nordics as well as in Europe and is in the process of developing a sustainable aviation fuels strategy.

“Biofuel represents a significant opportunity for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint and achieving its environmental goals. Our collaboration with TUI in 2015 on the Boeing ecoDemonstrator Program included testing of biofuel, and this 737 MAX delivery flight is a further demonstration of TUI’s interest in bringing price competitive biofuel to market”, said Sean Newsum, director of environmental strategy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

By the end of 2018, a total of nine 737 MAX 8 will be delivered to the airlines of TUI Group. These aircraft will be operated by TUI in Belgium, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The first 737 MAX for TUI fly Germany is scheduled to be delivered in early 2019. TUI Group has ordered the 72 new aircraft in total to renew its narrow-body aircraft fleet by 2023 according to the current planning.

About TUI Group

The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its 19 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 17 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.  

Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.

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