TUI has successfully extended its existing credit lines of €2.7 billion by a further two years. The syndicated credit line from the 19 banks and KfW will now mature in July 2026. Its revolving credit facility (RCF) will in future also be linked to the Group's emission reduction targets. KfW's credit line, which was recently reduced to €1.05 billion, won’t be drawn further. Meanwhile, TUI bookings are strong for summer 2023, and demand for travel remains high in all markets. TUI Booking numbers in recent weeks are already above pre-pandemic levels. TUI CFO Mathias Kiep said: "The successful extension of our credit lines is a vote of confidence in our business model and future strategy.” “This lays the basis for profitable growth and we remain the pioneer in climate protection." TUI says by 2030, emissions will be significantly reduced in TUI Airlines (-24%), in the hotel segment by at least -46.2% and in 27.5 less in cruising.

TUI plans to open 21 new travel agency stores across the country this year. Three of these are already open, in Liverpool Speke, Oxford and Banbury. The locations of the other 18 stores are yet to be announced. Still, TUI has made a commitment to open them before the end of the year. Belinda Vazquez, TUI director of sales channels, said: “There is no doubt that the High Street has changed but are seeing a resurgence of people wanting that face-to-face interaction.” “This is especially since the pandemic left consumers looking for expert advice and reassurance.” The new TUI stores will spur local recruitment campaigns for new retail staff.

TUI is launching a new online tours platform. TUI Tours hopes to make inroads in the $100 billion tours market, with an initial launch in Belgium. The TUI tours platform is a single, end to end system for sourcing, production and  distribution of tours. Developed in association with Nezasa it provides fast itinerary development, with real time pricing and availability. Customers and travel advisors can select from group or individual itineraries, which they can then personalise in real time. This includes adding flights, accommodation, transfers, car rental, experiences, and tour guides. Peter Krueger, TUI Chief Strategy Officer CEO said: "Growing our experiences product portfolio is a key strategic priority for TUI.” “The segment is a sizeable and strongly growing market." The tool ‘enables the digital production of group and individual tours by travel advisors and customers’.

 

• Fleet becomes more efficient in support of sustainability goals
• Marco Ciomperlik: “We are thrilled to add the E195-E2 to our Belgium fleet”
• More attractive holiday offers for guests from regional airports

  TUI Group has selected Embraer’s E195-E2, the quietest and most efficient aircraft under 150 seats, to join the TUI fly Belgium fleet. TUI will take delivery of three E195-E2 from AerCap on long-term lease. The aircraft, from AerCap’s existing fleet and powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, will be delivered in a comfortable 136 seat, single class configuration, in the first half of 2023.   “We are thrilled to add the E195-E2 to our Belgium fleet. Operating on short and medium haul routes, the new airplane is the most efficient aircraft in the market. It uses less fuel, has a longer range, while at the same time is 50% quieter and emits up to a third less carbon dioxide. The airplanes will operate mostly out of Antwerp, from where they will fly to more distant airports, which will allow us to expand into new holiday destinations from Northern Belgium”, said Marco Ciomperlik, Chief Airline Officer, TUI Group.   “The selection of the E195-E2 is an important milestone to make TUI’s fleet even more efficient in support of our sustainability goals. Working together with AerCap, Embraer and Pratt & Whitney, we have agreed on an attractive package that enables TUI to provide travellers from regional airports in Belgium an even better start to their holidays,” added Tom Chandler, Managing Director Fleet and Asset Management, TUI Group.   “We are very pleased to announce the lease placement of three E195-E2s with TUI. AerCap has a long history of working with TUI and we are excited to be a part of their fleet renewal plan,” said Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap. “The E195-E2s are the perfect aircraft to support TUI’s operations with greater versatility and improved efficiencies, enabling them to meet their sustainability commitments. We wish TUI every success with the E2-Jets, and we look forward to working with them as these aircraft deliver.”   Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation, added, “We welcome TUI, already operators of the first generation E190, to the E2 family of operators. The economics of the E195-E2 combined with its comfort, is a win win for TUI – allowing the operator to increase capacity and delight their guests, while still reducing fuel costs and lowering emissions. We’re pleased to continue our long relationship with TUI, and thank AerCap for their partnership.”   “Exclusively powering the E2 family, our GTF engines will provide TUI with the greenest propulsion technology available today, delivering unmatched economic and environmental performance,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “We welcome TUI to the GTF family and look forward to working together to connect people and make the world more sustainable.”

National Geographic Expeditions has teamed up with TUI to supply tours and activities for the debut of National Geographic Day Tours It comprises a collection of one-day and half-day itineraries. National Geographic Day Tours will launch during summer 2023 initially to Mediterranean destinations, with an expanded global rollout in the future. National Geographic Day Tours, operated by TUI, will focus on topics such as conservation, culture and history. "Inspiring new experiences await our travellers, thanks to this exciting collaboration with TUI," said Nancy Schumacher, senior vice president, National Geographic Expeditions. "National Geographic Day Tours is just one more way we are expanding our National Geographic storytelling and travel opportunities and we look forward to the new tours that our travellers will experience soon." The line-up of 48 National Geographic Day Tours includes experiences, such as Barcelona, Spain: "The Secrets of Restoration," Dubrovnik, Croatia: "The Benefits and Flavors of Oyster Farming “and Tarquinia and Vulci, Italy: "The Heritage of the Etruscans." Initially, National Geographic Day Tours will be offered through TUI's subsidiary Intercruises to cruise lines and their guests. An additional rollout of booking options through airlines, hotels, TUI and National Geographic Expeditions is planned for the future. These new tours will widen the choice of offerings through TUI Musement and its partners' platforms.

TUI’s Chief Financial Officer Sebastian Ebel is named as the group’s next CEO. After nearly ten years at the helm, Fritz Joussen will stand down t the end of September. Joussen is exercising a right of resignation granted in connection with the conditions of the Corona stabilisation measures. “Ebel is an excellent choice. As a member of the Executive Board, Sebastian Ebel was responsible for the strategic growth of hotels, cruises and activities and developed them into the Group's most profitable segments,” said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TUI AG. Joussen took over as Group CEO in 2013. Mathias Kiep, previously Group Director Controlling, Corporate Finance and Investor Relations, is to become the new Chief Financial Officer.