Chief executive Marco Ciomperlik said Tui planned to bring its UK carrier more in line with its European fleet and make it less reliant on in-house package sales.
He told the Airlines 2025 conference: “In the EU, we have quite a significant seat-only share, but the UK is more tour operator-integrated."
Ciomperlik said Tui Airways was unusual in that around 90% of its UK capacity is taken by its tour operation. This compares with 30-60% in Benelux, which he gave by way of comparison.
He revealed Tui’s expansion into non-package sectors had been hampered because of late aircraft deliveries from Boeing. “We struggled in 2025 quite significantly because we did not see any deliveries," he told delegates.
"From this winter, we will have up to 20 deliveries from Boeing. They will replace old Boeing 737s and grow volume. We will have six to seven more aircraft in the UK next summer.”
A Tui spokesperson later clarified that while six aircraft would be added to the UK fleet, they would replace third-party flying. “This means the overall fleet operating for Tui UK next summer stays basically stable," they said.
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Changes to the way Tui Airways operates will be phased in by 2027. Ciomperlik said Tui would not change the character of its UK airline, but could “easily” increase winter routes by 10% and tap into other areas.
“For example, we have significant room for ‘reverse demand’ that we don’t really touch," he said, giving the example of marketing flights in destinations like the Canaries that have substantial demand from foreign residents.
The visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market was another, he said, while launching new winter routes would increase aircraft utilisation.
He stressed Tui Airways would not seek to emulate low-cost carriers. “It’s not about changing the character of the airline but finding some niches to add to the brand.”
