TUI to return to North East airport after almost a decade with new summer route

A new summer service has been announced at a North East airport by one of the UK’s biggest holiday companies.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has today revealed that Teesside International has secured a new summer service operated by TUI.

TUI, which previously operated at the airport as Thomson Holidays, is set to return to the airport to offer weekly flights to Palma in Majorca.

The firm, which has not operated at the airport since 2013, will launch its new flights in summer 2022, with tickets available to purchase from next month.

Mayor Houchen commented: “It is fantastic to have TUI – the UK’s largest holiday company – flying from Teesside International once again.

“In 2022, it will have been nine years since a TUI plane departed from Teesside and I’m sure everyone across Teesside, the wider North East and North Yorkshire will be thrilled to have this household name back.

“Having TUI return to our airport is yet another huge vote of confidence in what we have achieved since I saved our airport from closure just 19 months ago.

“Our airport, along with the wider airport site, is hugely important for my plan for jobs and landing this type of airline makes airport jobs more secure and is a great springboard for more airport jobs in the future.”

Richard Sofer, commercial & business development director at TUI, added: “We know how important regional flying is to our customers and we’re really excited to be adding Teesside back to our UK airport offering from summer 2022.”