Rhodes / Hanover, 10 September 2018

“Rhodes“ – The name of TUI’s new Boeing 737 MAX 8

  • The Group’s new aircrafts become ambassadors for holiday regions 
  • Agapi Kalomiri christens the aircraft at Rhodes Diagoras Airport

Every year 20 million holidaymakers travel with TUI to over 100 holiday destinations. TUI has a longstanding and close relationship with all these destinations and host countries. In honour of this partnership, TUI is naming its new Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes after the most popular destinations it serves, and hence the TUI Airways airplanes become proud ambassadors for these regions.

Rhodes is one of the most popular holiday destinations for TUI guests from all over Europe and on September 7 the name of this beautiful Greek island was given to the second of the 72 new aerorplanes which have been ordered by the TUI Group. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 of TUI fly Nordic with the registration SE-RNA, was christened “Rhodes“ at a wonderful ceremony in Rhodes Diagoras Airport.

The aircraft’s Godmother is Mrs. Agapi Kalomiri, the wife of the Mayor of Rhodes, Mr. Fotis Hatzidiakos. Mrs. Agapi Kalomiri is a well-respected notary in Rhodes, who also actively participates in cultural associations and charities. She christened the aircraft with water from the Seven Springs, the local underground water spring in the area of Archangelos. Next to the Godmother, the Mayor of Rhodes Mr. Fotis Hatzidiakos and Mr. Michalis Mavropoulos, Regional Director of the East Mediterranean,TUI Destination Experiences honored the event by co-signing the christening certificate. Several officials from the local authorities, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), including Mr. Agapitos Xanthis, Regional Director of GNTO Dodecanese, as well as key partners of TUI, such as hoteliers, members of the Tourism industry and the local community, attended the ceremony.

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The Godmother Mrs. Kalomiri said: “This christening ceremony of the new TUI aircraft with the name of Rhodes is a very special moment personally for myself and also for the island of Rhodes. The name Rhodes does not only mean the name of a holiday destination but by far embodies the history, the culture, the values of hospitality and the friendship among people. I wish TUI and the island of Rhodes safety and prosperity for all its journies. Rhodes is always a pioneer and leader in this field. I strongly hope that all our visitors will leave the island with the best of memories.

Mr. Michalis Mavropoulos said: “Tourism brings people and cultures together. Our airplanes are part of the travel experience and are the connecting elements to your region. They are a symbol of our partnership. TUI has been a close partner of Greece and Rhodes for over 50 years and together with our partners, the Ministry of Tourism, the Region of the South Aegean, the local officials and business community, we continue to develop this longstanding partnership and support the growth of Tourism in the region. Today, the island is one of the most popular holiday destinations for our guests from all over Europe. TUI and our Destination Experiences team has a strong presence in Rhodes. Together with our joint venture with Atlantica Hotels & Resorts, we offer unique and differentiated destination experiences and world class hospitality services through our hotel brands and concepts such as TUI Magic Life, TUI Sensimar, TUI Family Life. Since June this year, we are proud to present the new gem of the TUI hotels in the area, the new TUI Sensatori in Gennadi, South Rhodes.

Compared to other airplanes of this size previously operated by TUI fly, the 737 MAX 8 is distinguished by a 20 percent lower fuel consumption and thus 20 percent lower CO2 emissions. Additionally, the noise level is 40 percent lower and also contributes to the Group’s sustainability targets. The TUI Group has set itself the goal of becoming Europe’s lowest-emission airline by 2020.

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.