TUI reveals summer re-start plans after operating packed flights to Majorca

TUI Group says it expects to operate almost a third of its original summer programme this year after running two packed flights from Germany to Majorca yesterday.

It has a further 20 departures planned from Germany, Switzerland and the Benelux countries over the next few days to Majorca and Faro.

From July, it plans to take holidaymakers to the rest of Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Flights are available only from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands at the moment, but TUI said: "We currently anticipate our remaining markets such as UK and Nordic region to follow suit later in the summer.

"Together with our destination partners, TUI is well prepared for a responsible and safe re-launch of tourism activities.

"Based on our current restart dates, we are planning to operate around 30% of our original capacity in Q4 2020."

TUI has cancelled all holidays from the UK until and including July 10 and its won’t be allowed to resume operations until the Foreign & Commonwealth Office lifts its advice against all non-essential travel.

Half of its own hotels will reopen from the beginning of next month, which may increase as travel restrictions ease through the summer, it said.

"We are focussing on the advantages of our vertical integration, as we can leverage our distribution power to steer bookings into our own and third party committed assets," it added.

TUI Cruises will restart with three to four-day reduced-capacity cruises in the North and Baltic Seas, with Marella Cruises following suit later in the summer ‘in line with easing of UK guidelines’.

The operator revealed its summer programme is around 25% sold with average selling prices up 14%.

Winter 2020/21 bookings for the UK are up 6% with average selling prices up 5% Summer 2021 ‘continues to look promising’, added TUI.

New safety measures put in place include:

Flights

* Staggered boarding in small groups
* Customers and crew will be required to wear face masks on board our aircraft
* Optional pre-order of food and beverages
* Cashless payments on board flights
* Additionally, aircraft are already installed with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter systems on board with vertical air flow providing fresh air quality during flight

Hotels & Resorts

* Increased hygiene and cleaning standards in all our hotels and training of staff by independent auditors
* In a few countries, local regulations will allow self-service buffets for certain items (e.g. packaged food and beverages)
* Increased outdoor seating to be prioritised
* Alternative entertainment and sports programme avoiding close contact

Cruises

* Increased hygiene standards on board
* Health questionnaires, pre-boarding screening (for both crew and guests, e.g temperature scan, staggered boarding)
* Max of 10 in kids’ clubs
* Limited number of guests in theatres, spa and gym
* No self-service restaurants

Destination Experiences

* Digital updates to customers to ensure smooth meet & greet on arrival
* Increased hygiene procedures on board transfer buses and increased offering of private transfers
* Increased availability of outdoor activities, smaller groups and private tours
* 24-7 contact centre support available via text, email or TUI app, providing tailored destination advice, including support on local medical guidelines