This winter will signal the end of TUI Fly's long-haul operations from Brussels Airport (BRU) as the airline shifts focus to medium-haul flights. The decision, confirmed by the airline's Managing Director Arjan Kers, stems from the conclusion reached after reviewing the economic viability of the existing long-haul routes.
TUI Belgium, which has operated long-haul services for nearly two decades, will withdraw its last long-haul aircraft from Brussels. Kers noted, "We only have one long-haul aircraft [Boeing 787] in Brussels, which is not enough to sustainably continue the operation.” This single Boeing 787-8 was insufficient for steady operations, and comparisons show the once-thriving fleet has dwindled over time.
Over the years, TUI Belgium's long-haul destinations have included popular holiday spots such as Punta Cana (PUJ), Curaçao (CUR), and Cancun (CUN). The routes have served holidaymakers seeking sun-soaked vacations across the Atlantic. Prior to this winter, destinations like Varadero (VRA), Santo Domingo (SDQ), and Miami (MIA) were also pivotal to the airline's offering, necessitated by the need for holidaymakers to have direct access to sought-after locales.
The current long-haul operation comprises only sporadic flights to the aforementioned destinations. A steady decline led to the decision to discontinue these services entirely, culminating the past operations where the airline utilized both Boeing 787-8s and Boeing 767-300s before phasing out the older aircraft.
Now, as it ceases long-haul services, TUI Belgium plans to concentrate solely on medium-haul flights served by its existing fleet of narrowbody planes. Kers highlighted, "We will focus entirely on medium-haul flights, which includes seasonal routes to key vacation spots, particularly within Southern Europe and North Africa, as well as the Canary Islands."
The consolidation of TUI's long-haul services has not occurred without inter-company shifts. Notably, TUI Netherlands has absorbed much of this responsibility, operating flights utilizing Boeing 787s from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). TUI Netherlands, which currently operates four 787s, has effectively capitalized on the relocation of capacity from TUI Belgium. Despite speculation, there have been no announcements of additional long-haul slots becoming available at AMS for the transferred aircraft.
With TUI Belgium's long-haul function being restructured, travelers have few options for direct flights, meaning they will increasingly depend on connecting through larger hubs, such as Amsterdam or Paris Charles de Gaulle, for their long-haul travel needs. Kers provided reassurance as he asserted, "We are committed to maintaining intercontinental travel options through partnerships, likely easing competition on certain leisure routes.”
The shift will leave Brussels Airlines as the only major competitor offering significant long-haul services from BRU. Brussels Airlines continues to maintain its extensive operations to Africa and has regular flights to New York City (JFK). Notably, Brussels Airlines’ transatlantic services are bolstered through partnerships with United Airlines and Air Canada.
The withdrawal of long-haul services by TUI Belgium hints at broader trends within the airline industry, particularly as airlines assess fleet sustainability and operational efficiency. The consolidation of routes to fewer hubs aims to streamline operations and bolster profitability, aligning with TUI Group's overall restructuring policies. With competing carriers such as Air Belgium, Air France-KLM, and Condor already operating strong long-haul networks, the lopsided market may prompt these airlines to pick up the slack left by TUI Belgium's exit.
This move will undoubtedly cause ripples across the market, as holidaymakers now face limited direct flight options for their travel plans. Looking forward, those eager for leisure travel may need to adapt, working their travel itineraries around connecting flights through major European airports.
For TUI Belgium, focusing on medium-haul routes puts them firmly back within the busier sphere of regional travel, allowing them to maintain steady service to popular destinations. The operational changes are set to reshape their strategy, indicating a return to prioritizing shorter flights.