TUI’s new Boeing 737 MAX 8 is called “Costa del Sol”

• New planes of the group are becoming ambassadors for holiday regions 
• Writers Carmen Enciso and Eloísa Navas christened the plane at Málaga-Costa del Sol airport

Every year, 20 million tourists travel all around the world with TUI. The tourism group has a presence in over 100 tourist destinations. TUI has a longstanding cooperative relationship with holiday destinations and host countries. And now TUI would like to emphasise this partnership. To this end, the company is christening its new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with the names of the destinations. TUI Airlines’ planes will from now on serve as ambassadors for these regions.

The province of Málaga is one of the most important holiday destinations for TUI customers from all over Europe. As a result, the province will give its name to the third of a total of 72 new planes ordered. TUI Fly Benelux’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 with identification OO-TMY was christened “Costa del Sol” at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport on 12 September 2018.

Carmen Enciso and Eloísa Navas, two writers from Málaga, conducted the christening. Their passion for literature and their love for Málaga have led them to share several literary projects. They christened TUI’s plane with water from “La Fuente de Los 100 Caños”, the source of the Guadalhorce river. The acts of the ceremony were signed by the godmothers, in representation of the Mayor of Málaga, Javier Hernández, General Director of the Tourism Area of the City Council, the General Director of Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, Mr Salvador Merino Moína and the General Director of TUI Belgium, Mr Dirk van Holsbeke. The guests at the christening were public officials from Andalusia, representatives of tourism associations, TUI’s hotel partners in Málaga and the local media.

Carmen Enciso: “It is an honour for me to be part of this event. I am thrilled that this new TUI plane, which we have christened today with the name “Costa del Sol”, is becoming an ambassador for Málaga. When I talk about Costa del Sol, I return to my childhood. I was one of those little girls who experienced the glory of tourism in our region. I am a woman whose love for my homeland has made it possible for Málaga to become the focus of my literature. As Ramón Gómez de la Serna would say: “A book is a bird with more than a hundred wings to fly”. 

Eloísa Navas: “I am very proud to have been chosen as the godmother of this new plane, the ‘Costa del Sol’, and I am grateful to the TUI company for the opportunity to take part in this important event. A journey always involves a destination. I would like the destination of this aircraft that starts its journey today to be helping all its future passengers to follow their dreams. The simple fact of my being here today has already made mine come true.”

Marina Comas, TUI Purchasing Director West Mediterranean: “Tourism brings people and cultures together. Our aircraft are part of the travel experience and the connecting element for their region as well. They are a symbol of our association. TUI has been present in Málaga for over 50 years. Today, the region is one of the largest and most popular holiday destinations for our visitors from all over Europe. Our hotel company RIU and our hotel brand TUI Sensimar are present in the area, and many of their employees live here.”

The 737 MAX 8, compared to previous TUI fly aircraft of this size, have a 20 per cent lower fuel consumption and thus generate 20 per cent fewer CO2 emissions. Their noise level is also 40 per cent lower, which also contributes to the group’s sustainability objectives. TUI Group has set itself the goal of operating Europe’s lowest-emission airlines by 2020.