UK boost as TUI launches new flights from tiny airport to European hotspot
After witnessing its passenger numbers plummet, a struggling UK airport is bolstering its offerings after launching a new TUI flight which will whizz passengers over to a popular EU island once a week
A tiny UK airport is slated for a much-needed boost after unveiling an exciting new route to an insatiably popular EU island.
Last month (Tuesday, May 27) TUI 's inaugural full flight took off from Southampton Airport and whizzed passengers over to the sunniest and largest hotspot in the Balearics, Palma De Mallorca. It marks the first departure to the Spanish city in 15 years, and coincides with the highly-anticipated Marella Cruises' summer program.
Southampton Airport only handled 863,000 passengers last year, falling short of its 1.1 million forecast. It marks a harsh decline since pre-pandemic levels, when the hub welcomed more than 1.7 million passengers annually. However, the new flight - which will operate weekly until the end of September - may give the airport the boost it so desperately needs.
"Our passengers were hugely excited when the return of TUI was first announced last year," said Gavin Williams of Southampton Airport. "It was fantastic to see our passengers on the first service which provides an exciting new travel opportunity for the Central South region. We look forward to welcoming more passengers on this flight as we continue to expand and enhance our travel options."
TUI's Karen Switzer also welcomed the news, stating the airline was 'extremely excited' for Brits to be reconnected with the 'vibrant corner of the world that is Palma'. "We understand how important it is for customers to have access to flights from their local airports, and this latest addition brings the number of regional airports that TUI Airways fly from to 24," she added.
TUI's Southampton to Palma flight, which takes two hours and 15 minutes, departs every Tuesday throughout the summer months at 2pm, landing in sunny Spain at 5.15pm - just in time for your evening meal. On the return, passengers will leave Palma at 10.55am and arrive home at 12.10pm. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £90 in July.
Palma has a range of accommodation types to suit all kinds of budgets. For example, a week's stay (Tuesday, July 1-8) at the New Art Hostel - Albergue Juvenil will only set you back £715. This is based on two people staying in a Male-only dorm.
However, if you're after a week of pure luxury, check out Hotel Be Live Adults Only Marivent. The beachside hotel boasts outdoor swimming pools, a gym, Finnish sauna, and breakfast buffet. A double room costs £1,475 on the exact same nights.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing. Marella Cruises sailings will include Mediterranean itineraries aboard Marella Discovery, 'Cosmopolitan Classics' departing from Palma, Majorca and calling at Cagliari, Sardinia, Naples (for Pompeii and Capri), Italy, Piombino (for Siena and Pisa), Italy, Villefranche (for Monaco and Nice, France, Palamos, Spain and finishing up once again in Palma.
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