Cardiff: TUi Airways Flights, New Routes & Base Updates

[CAN&I]

To be fair it was posted by a supposed employee of TUI on a Facebook group. The comments seemed believable but the reality of how these things work are often overlooked. I can see TUI adding more if things do go well but will be a slow cautious approach.
Unless of course theyre change in focus on flight only bookings as recently announced could see CWL used as a trial. Back to how the Thomsonfly days were 15-20 years ago were. Even with that I cant see TUI having an expansive city network that CWL needs.

Think the key words you've called out there are "supposed employee" and "the reality of how these things work".

It may well have been an off the cuff "wouldn't surprise me if..." as we suggested coupled with a disconnect as to how quickly the "TUI machine" would react as you rightly suggest.

However, there is definately a case of certain fanatics adding 1+1 and all but guaranteeing a 5th aircraft as early as next year. These people have form when it comes to amplifting reality and creating excitement.

The reality is more along the lines as you suggested.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

Think the key words you've called out there are "supposed employee" and "the reality of how these things work".

It may well have been an off the cuff "wouldn't surprise me if..." as we suggested coupled with a disconnect as to how quickly the "TUI machine" would react as you rightly suggest.

However, there is definately a case of certain fanatics adding 1+1 and all but guaranteeing a 5th aircraft as early as next year. These people have form when it comes to amplifting reality and creating excitement.

The reality is more along the lines as you suggested.

I was only sharing news that was shared on a trusted Facebook Group and yes we don’t know if they are real but if you look at the passenger numbers from Bristols TUI ops compared to Cardiffs TUI ops then it’s not out of reality for TUI to move another aircraft from BRS - CWL.

It does seem plans are actively being created and should be confirmed soon apparently. Apparently they’ve been starting the hiring process already for lots more jobs based at Cardiff…,.. I don’t know if it’s all true but rumours of a trusted airline partner should be taken with likelihood of happening and if it is a slower process it’s still GOOD NEWS 😄

 

[geoff]

You are quite correct FLY in what you say regarding the destinations as not having operated for sometime, a few of them were operated by IEA but ended when they were taken over by Airtours, but they remain popular from many airports. Anyway it is all pie in the sky at the moment until anything is confirmed by TUI.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

I was only sharing news that was shared on a trusted Facebook Group and yes we don’t know if they are real but if you look at the passenger numbers from Bristols TUI ops compared to Cardiffs TUI ops then it’s not out of reality for TUI to move another aircraft from BRS - CWL.

It does seem plans are actively being created and should be confirmed soon apparently. Apparently they’ve been starting the hiring process already for lots more jobs based at Cardiff…,.. I don’t know if it’s all true but rumours of a trusted airline partner should be taken with likelihood of happening and if it is a slower process it’s still GOOD NEWS 😄

Airlines will go with the competition and catchment, and BRS will always beat CWL on that. TUI will no doubt see they can distort that by using CWL, and EXT, but they will still want to put up a fight at BRS.

Ive just checked TUIs careers site and there is currently no vacancies for cabin crew and a generic pilot recruitment add for the whole UK, which is to be expected given the shortage of pilots in the UK.

We've been here many times before which potential news.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[CAN&I]

It does seem plans are actively being created and should be confirmed soon apparently. Apparently they’ve been starting the hiring process already for lots more jobs based at Cardiff…,.. I don’t know if it’s all true but rumours of a trusted airline partner should be taken with likelihood of happening and if it is a slower process it’s still GOOD NEWS 😄

Thanks for sharing Jack and appreciate you've done so in good faith, although you've also used a very important word which is "apparantly".

Having also seen the posts in quesiton and asides being badly written, the comments seem a little dubious. They reference the decision by TFW to add train services on the VoG line (which hasn't been confirmed) and that a "decision is being decided" and "decide which routes soon to use the additional aircrafts". It also offers detail regards "amazing success" when we're barely into June and "meetings" and "hirings" which really shouldn't be shared in the public domain if true.

Where we absoltuely disagree is the statement where rumours concerning a "trusted airline partner" within a so-called "trusted Facebook Group" should be "taken with likelihood of happening". That is not a sound basis for applying certainty to the situation.

Absolutely hate weeing on anyone's chips and if it comes to pass it will be good news indeed, but it does feel a few people are getting carried away with a pair of poorly written anonymous posts. Just suggesting caution should be applied as we've been here before when it comes to so-called "inside information".

 

[Jerry]

Personally I'd rather see FR base at CWL and TUI use their flights for more options for holidays.

Although a 5th aircraft would be amazing I do think a Ryanair base should be more of a priority as it offers something different from TUI a 2-3 aircraft Ryanair base would open up potentially city routes as well which can bring in inbound tourism as well. Also with TUI I'd question what destinations would be viable now. I'm not sure some of the more smaller Greek islands would work and TUI doesn't really operate cities. Funchal, Girona, Agadir, Marrakesh, Naples and Verona could be options as well as bringing Faro back alongside frequency increases on other routes but considering what's happening with Turkiye I can't see frequency or new routes there.

They reference the decision by TFW to add train services on the VoG line (which hasn't been confirmed)

In a written response to Andrew RT Davies that's scheduled for next year.

 

[CAN&I]

In a written response to Andrew RT Davies that's scheduled for next year.

Scheduled but not confirmed. Thats not our point anyway. The point is would TUI really make the decision to base a 5th aircraft at CWL partly based on an additional train per hour on the VoG line? Just doesn't ring true somehow.

We're also missing the elephant in the room - TUI has already cut Fuerteventura and Faro for 2027 after only intoducing them this year. The facts just don't add up to the rumour.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

The point is would TUI really make the decision to base a 5th aircraft at CWL partly based on an additional train per hour on the VoG line? Just doesn't ring true somehow.

I can't see any Airline, especially a holiday Airline, making decisions based on rail connectivity. It's a nice to have, but if the flight prices and times are right, people will find their way there.
The train service also wouldn't operate early enough for first wave departures, or would be very tight, and similarly wouldn't operate late enough for late arrivals.
Bristol have over 30 first wave departures, but no train, from anywhere in the country, get you to Temple Meads in time for the connecting bus to BRS allowing sufficient time for check-in and getting to departures.

 

[Jerry]

The point is would TUI really make the decision to base a 5th aircraft at CWL partly based on an additional train per hour on the VoG line? Just doesn't ring true somehow.

They wouldn't no airline would tbf.

I can't see any Airline, especially a holiday Airline, making decisions based on rail connectivity. It's a nice to have, but if the flight prices and times are right, people will find their way there.
The train service also wouldn't operate early enough for first wave departures, or would be very tight, and similarly wouldn't operate late enough for late arrivals.
Bristol have over 30 first wave departures, but no train, from anywhere in the country, get you to Temple Meads in time for the connecting bus to BRS allowing sufficient time for check-in and getting to departures.

There does seem to be an obsession online about the rail link. Like it's some sort of magic fairy dust that would mean airlines flocking to Cardiff. Most of TUI passengers will arrive by car.

 

[CAN&I]

They wouldn't no airline would tbf.


There does seem to be an obsession online about the rail link. Like it's some sort of magic fairy dust that would mean airlines flocking to Cardiff. Most of TUI passengers will arrive by car.

Could not agree more Jerry! Airlines couldn't care less. The endless bilge about "links" as if millions spent on a new link road and a railway spur will bring the passengers "flooding in" is laughable. You only have to look across the Severn Estuary for a prime example where "links" are absolutely meaningless when it comes to success. CWL's own statistics demonstrate that less than 10% of their passengers utilise public transport. Thats probably consistent amongst the regional airports outside those serving the major cities of the UK.

 

[Jerry]

Could not agree more Jerry! Airlines couldn't care less. The endless bilge about "links" as if millions spent on a new link road and a railway spur will bring the passengers "flooding in" is laughable. You only have to look across the Severn Estuary for a prime example where "links" are absolutely meaningless when it comes to success. CWL's own statistics demonstrate that less than 10% of their passengers utilise public transport. Thats probably consistent amongst the regional airports outside those serving the major cities of the UK.

Public transport is important not just for passengers but for people working onsite as well but a lot of people do tend overstate its effect. Passenger wise i think its more important for inbound visitors and solo travellers. The current rail link is decent but the line needs more frequency which is something that hopefully will get addressed by next year.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

Airlines will go with the competition and catchment, and BRS will always beat CWL on that. TUI will no doubt see they can distort that by using CWL, and EXT, but they will still want to put up a fight at BRS.

Ive just checked TUIs careers site and there is currently no vacancies for cabin crew and a generic pilot recruitment add for the whole UK, which is to be expected given the shortage of pilots in the UK.

We've been here many times before which potential news.
Guess we'll just have to wait and se

Public transport is important not just for passengers but for people working onsite as well but a lot of people do tend overstate its effect. Passenger wise i think it’s more important for inbound visitors and solo travellers. The current rail link is decent but the line needs more frequency which is something that hopefully will get addressed by next year.

On Monday I was at Rhoose station and someone landed from Belfast City and was using the bus link and train to get to Cardiff. She was really shocked that the train was only 1ph and I was explaining the situation that the government & TFW are increasing to 2ph so whenever she had another business meeting at Cardiff she’s hopefully get to Cardiff sooner. She was shocked that there was no amenities at the station like vending machines or cafes or shops. I said it’s basically a small village close to the airport.

It was nice to see a business traveller taking an interest in Wales and finding out about the local area.

She also thought Cardiff Airport was bigger than Belfast City airport and I was like no no 😂. I said back pre Covid we were busier but now we’re not so much. I think I persuaded her abbot Canada flying from here but yeah.

As someone who lives along the Barry & VOG line I will long hope for the increase to make Rhoose easier to access as we can sometimes be subject to not stopping trains if late. Also does anyone know if there will be a frequency increase across the whole line from 4 —> 5 tph or is one of the Barry Island trains gonna be used for Bridgend Via VOG and make it 2 Barry Island & 2 Bridgend

 

[Samdorob]

kind of remark to generate even more nonsense and whip up hysteria for the usual kudos of being the first to break the news.

I have to agree. It may well just be gossip or filtered down from higher ups as a potential idea in the distant future.

 

[Jerry]

Had a look at TUI long haul from Cardiff for winter 2025-26, this will include the charters for Barbados that they operate for P&O Cruises
Barbados
November 25 295
December 25 894
January 26 592 (2025 593)
February 26 1485 (2025 893)
March 26 595 (2025 595)
April 26 300 (2025 299)
Total 4161 (2380)
Cancun
March 26 299
April 26 857
Total 1156

Average LF for Barbados was 297 (IIRC there were 7 departures)
Average LF for Cancun was 289 (IIRC there were 2 departures)
TUI 787 8s have a seat capacity of 300 passengers

It is a shame Cancun didn't continue in 2027

 

[Samdorob]

It is a shame Cancun didn't continue in 2027

They must have their reasons. I can only think because it took them the best part of 2 years to fill the 787 it didn’t seem worth the risk to continue or increase flights.
A shame really as long haul options from the south west is really limited.

 

[Jerry]

They must have their reasons. I can only think because it took them the best part of 2 years to fill the 787 it didn’t seem worth the risk to continue or increase flights.
A shame really as long haul options from the south west is really limited.

Well these type of flights take years to fill. Considering they took Newcastle flights in March and April off sale as well i suspect sales weren't the issue.
Hopefully it'll return in the future.

 

[Jerry]

Winter 2026-27
Tenerife 4 weekly
Alicante 2 weekly
Lanzarote 2 weekly
Gran Canaria 2 weekly
Malaga 1 weekly
Fuerteventura 1 weekly
Hurghada 1 weekly
Salzburg 1 weekly (19/12/26 to 6/3/27)
Chambery 1 weekly (26/12/26 to 13/3/27)
Turin 1 weekly (20/12/26 to 14/3/27)
Paphos 1 weekly (begins 24/2/27)
Enfidha 1 weekly (begins 5/3/27)
Palma de Mallorca 1 weekly (begins 23/3/27)
In total winter will see at least 13 weekly departures and up to 18 weekly departures

La Romana 8/12/26
Barbados 3/1/27, 18/2/27 and 28/2/27
Kittila Lapland day trip 11/12/26
TUI Holidays also offer Amsterdam as a city break using KLM all winter and New York using KLM/Delta from 29/3/27 (these are also offered in the summer) its a shame they don't offer Toronto to.

 

[Jerry]

Had a look at the TUI Ski routes for last winter and Fuerteventura as well. It probably needs to be mention that some sectors for these would have essentially been empty especially the first flights. TUI must be happy though as they've added Turin and Fuerteventura returns for winter 2026-27
December 2025
Salzburg 537
Chambery 451
Fuerteventura 502
January 2026
Salzburg 1393
Chambery 1744
Fuerteventura 1845
February 2026
Salzburg 1192
Chambery 1142
Fuerteventura 1488
March 2026
Salzburg 124
Chambery 374
Fuerteventura 1495
April 2026
Fuerteventura 1472
Total
Salzburg 3246 average LF 135 (based on 24 flights)
Chambery 3711 average LF142 (based on 26 flights)
Fuerteventura 6802 average LF 179 (based on 38 flights)

 

[Em0866]

Despite the December figures may look low remember that these routes didn't start until the weekend before Christmas. Encouraging stats

 

[Jerry]

Despite the December figures may look low remember that these routes didn't start until the weekend before Christmas. Encouraging stats

They're seasonal routes but LF do seem to be a bit lower than the sun routes but TUI and Crystal Ski must be happy as they're adding Turin.