
TUI adds new routes and flights at Cardiff airport
TUI adds new routes and flights at Cardiff airport
If you're planning to enjoy even more sunshine, then getting to these holiday hotspots just got much easier
TUI holidays is adding new routes and flights from Cardiff Airport
(Image: 2022 Huw Fairclough )
TUI has just announced a major expansion at Cardiff Airport, bringing even more sunshine within easy reach. From summer 2026, a fourth aircraft will be based at the airport, unlocking new routes and adding extra flights to some of the most popular destinations in its weekly flying programme.
Flights to hotspots like Turkey, the Canaries and Majorca will see an increase. While new routes to Portugal, Hurghada and Fuerteventura will be up and running. These new journeys will see 48,000 extra seats available.
The following routes are being added:
Hurghada: on May 26, 2026, TUI will launch a brand-new route from Cardiff to Hurghada meaning holidaymakers will be able to soak up Egyptian sunshine from May.
Faro: on May 21, 2026, a brand-new route from Cardiff to Faro will launch, taking travellers directly to the golden sands and beautiful coastlines in Portugal.
Fuerteventura: this route is new for summer, 2026, but will continue from the winter season which launches on December 20, this year. Customers will now have greater flexibility to choose when they want to enjoy the year-long sunshine to one of the Canary Islands' most stunning spots, right from Cardiff.
Increased flying routes
Due to increased demand for summer hotspot destinations, TUI is also increasing its flying frequency to the likes of Antalya, Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca, Enfidha and Tenerife.
The Antalya route will see an extra flight each week, increasing it from three to four flights per week
TUI will double its weekly flying frequency to Gran Canaria from once to twice weekly
The Cardiff to Palma De Mallorca route will be increased from five flights per week, to six
Enfidha will see an additional weekly flight, taking it from two to three flights per week
And customers will be able to choose from an additional flight to Tenerife each week, with four weekly flights
Find the latest deals from Cardiff to Gran Canaria, Malaga, Antalya and more, click here.
TUI UK&I commercial director Chris logan said: 'We're really excited to be expanding our routes and flying frequency from Cardiff Airport to give our customers even more choice and flexibility.
"With exclusive new routes and additional flights to some of the most popular holiday destinations, we're making it even easier for travellers to visit new places from their local airport.
"We've seen the demand for destinations such as Turkey, Tenerife and Mallorca grow year on year, so this increase in capacity allows customers to explore more options when booking their holiday.
Lee Smith, Head of Business Development at Cardiff Airport, added: 'This is fantastic news and a major investment in Cardiff Airport and Wales from TUI. The recent announcement of a second based aircraft this winter, followed by today's news of a fourth based aircraft in summer 2026, shows the confidence TUI has in the market.
Article continues below
"TUI's latest expansion means there will be an additional 48,000 holidays available with TUI from Cardiff next summer, including new routes to Faro and Hurghada. We look forward to working with the TUI team to continue growing in Wales.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Best job in Britain' up for grabs - here's how to apply
The role is unpaid, but comes with a unique perk as the successful applicants get £10,000 worth of free holidays across Europe The best job in Britain is up for grabs, and it involves testing holidays for a year. The role doesn't come with a salary, but the perks are unbeatable. The lucky family who lands the Chief Family Holiday Tester position will receive £10,000 worth of free holidays across Europe. The chosen UK-based family will be whisked away on multiple trips to family-friendly resorts. They'll be tasked with testing everything from ice creams to sunbathing spots, and they should be as adept at rating waterpark slides as they are at enjoying a late-night cocktail once the kids are tucked up in bed. All flights, accommodation, and meals are included. The only requirement is that applicants must have at least one child under the age of 12. This unique opportunity is a collaboration between family day out platform Day Out With The Kids (DOWTK) and holiday giant TUI. They're looking for a family to test and review TUI's top family-friendly resorts. The winning family will be expected to provide honest feedback, share social content, and help understand what families truly value when planning their time away. A spokesperson for Day Out With The Kids said: "We want real families - the ones who pack snacks like pros, navigate kids' clubs with confidence and rate a splash park just as highly as a sunset cocktail. "Explorers, ice cream experts, pool-slide critics, parents who know the joy of an early breakfast and a rare, glorious lie-in." The job description states the candidates should be: "Full of personality and love family adventures. "Confident in creating content, photos, videos or short reviews. Happy to appear in DOWTK and TUI marketing with consent." All applicants need to do is head to the TUI website and find three hotels you'd love to stay at, one each in the price range of: under £500, £500-£1000 and £1000+ per person. Following this, fill out the entry form with the names of the hotels and answer any questions about your family. "We're not looking for influencers, just real families who love to travel and can share their honest experiences with us in photos, videos or written feedback." Applications close on 4 August.


Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before you board a TUI River Cruises ship
River cruises are the newest venture for travel giant TUI, which officially entered the sector in August 2021 with the launch of the 155-passenger TUI Maya following an 18-month delay due to the Covid pandemic. The adult-only ship was soon joined by sisters TUI Skyla and TUI Isla, who collectively sail some of Europe's leading waterways. In winter 2024, TUI River Cruises expanded geographically and launched its first Nile River ship: TUI Al Horeya (Arabic for freedom). This inaugural Nile ship proved so popular that a second, TUI Al Bahareya, is due to debut in Egypt towards the end of 2025. Yet regardless of which TUI River Cruises ship you set sail on, you can be sure they have Brits in mind; kettles and Twinings tea bags can be found in every cabin, while shore experiences can be pre-purchased in sterling. Onboard, a fun and sociable vibe prevails: the amiable and talented entertainment team lead quizzes, trivia contests, and Motown Moves sessions. They also perform West End hits, pop classics, and rock and roll anthems and host silent discos and stargazing sessions. Expect local guest acts, too – on my recent TUI Nile River cruise, energetic belly dancers, Egyptian whirling dervishes and traditional Nubian acts all performed on board. What's even better is how much is included in the cost of your river cruise: all entertainment, drinks, meals, gratuities, unlimited internet access, and even a return flight. All you'll need to put your hand in your pocket for are select shore excursions, spa treatments, and shop purchases. This transparency makes the line a great option for anyone looking to explore Europe and Egypt without breaking the bank. 1. Where does TUI River Cruises sail? In Europe, TUI Isla, Skyla and Maya sail the Rhine, with its billowing vineyards and dramatic cliffs, and the Danube, which strings together some of Europe's most majestic cities and sights such as Budapest's Parliament building and the lavish palaces of Vienna. Stops on a Rhine cruise could include Strasbourg, where you can wander the Roman streets and admire the half-timbered houses, Cologne, to sample the city's signature Kölsch beer, and the quaint town of Rudesheim, home to the quirky Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum with its unique collection of automated musical instruments. In addition, TUI Isla offers itineraries on the Main, which meanders out from the east of the Rhine and through the middle of Germany, the Moselle, a must for wine lovers, and the beautiful Belgian and Dutch waterways. Summer 2025 marks the start of sailings along Portugal's Douro River onboard TUI Alma. The line's first new-build river ship will offer seven-night round-trip sailings from Porto calling at Entre-os-Rios, Peso de Regua, Vega de Terron and Barca d'Alva. Yet another new European ship, TUI Ria, is scheduled to launch in summer 2026 and will also sail on the Rhine and Moselle. Egypt also features on the agenda with an unforgettable cruise along the Nile. The group's first Nile ship, TUI Al Horeya, operates a seven-night Legends of the Nile voyage; a round-trip sailing from Luxor that calls at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Sister ship, Tui Bahareya, is slated to debut on the Nile in November 2025 and will offer two round-trip routes from Luxor: the Legends of the Nile cruise and a seven-night Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs itinerary. Both sailings will take you to Egypt's most famous historic sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Aswan and the Temple of Horus. Two Egyptologists will also be on board to reveal the stories that lie behind the extraordinary temples and tombs. 2. Who does TUI River Cruises appeal to? The line has gone out of its way to attract British passengers with flights (on TUI Airways) offered from a number of UK airports. As TUI River Cruises ships are strictly adults-only, they fit the bill for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxed and informal sailing. Solo travellers aren't neglected either: each ship has been fitted with a handful of single cabins and those going it alone can meet up with like-minded travellers at mealtimes and social events. All told, you might embark on a river cruise as a single traveller, but you certainly won't end up alone. You'll find plenty of first-time river cruisers on board too. These are typically guests who have travelled with TUI before, be it on a package holiday or an ocean voyage with sister line Marella Cruises, and fancy experimenting on a new type of holiday with a company they feel comfortable with. With absolutely everything included in the fare, TUI River Cruises is also a great option for cost-conscious travellers who want to get away without worrying about extra fees. 3. The fleet TUI Skyla, TUI Isla, TUI Maya (151, 155, and 155 passengers respectively) Sails to: Danube, Rhine. TUI Isla also sails the Dutch & Belgian waterways, Main and Moselle The trio of adult-only vessels share a light and breezy aesthetic, with each ship featuring two restaurants and two bars as well as a wellness area and activity area on the top deck. Cabins span several categories, ranging from singles to suites. TUI Al Horeya (145 passengers) W inter 2024 marked the debut of TUI Al Horeya on the Nile. The freshly refurbished ship features 72 river-facing cabins, the lion's share of which have French balconies. Spacious public spaces include the third-floor Observatory lounge – head here for enlightening lectures and film showings during the day, and cabaret and trivia contests at night – two restaurants, a small gym, and a top deck with an inviting pool, hot tubs, sun loungers and a shaded bar seating area. TUI Alma (123 passengers) Sails to: Douro Meaning 'soul' in Portuguese, TUI Alma – the line's first brand-new ship – will cruise along Portugal's River Douro when it launches in 2025. Expect 62 river-facing staterooms situated across three of the four passenger decks, plus a shallow pool with seating areas, main restaurant and Portuguese-inspired al fresco dining space. TUI Bahareya (136 passengers) Sails to: Nile TUI Bahareya will be the sixth ship to join the fleet when it launches towards the end of 2025. The name means 'belongs to the river' in Arabic and the ship will accommodate 136 passengers in 68 cabins, including standard French balcony cabins and superior cabins. While the real attraction of any Nile cruise lies on dry land, TUI Bahareya will have plenty to keep guests entertained, from an open-air pool to a massage tent and an entertainment area. TUI Ria (190 passengers) Sails to: Rhine, Moselle This will be the largest ship in the fleet when it launches in summer 2026 and the big talking point is the onboard pool that will double as a restaurant: in the evening, the pool floor will rise to close off the water, transforming the space into a secondary dining venue and entertainment area. It will even have a retractable roof, allowing guests to take a dip whatever the weather. In addition, there will be a choice of restaurants, lounges and entertainment spaces. 4. Loyalty scheme None officially, but the line says that it does try to offer repeat guests 'access to things like exclusive offers and events' as a thank you for their loyalty. 5. Access for guests with disabilities Wheelchairs cannot be used on board, so TUI River Cruises says that if you're unable to walk unaided up and down flights of stairs, then a cruise with them may not be suitable for you. It's worth contacting the Assisted Travel Team (0203 451 2688) before booking a cruise if you have specific needs.


Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Major UK airlines may owe travellers '£520' compensation for delayed flights
A travel blogger has recommended two avenues to explore for anyone who has been hit with flight delays - but travellers must check they are eligible first A savvy travel blogger has shared a genius tip that could see delayed passengers "successfully claim up to £520" in compensation. Known as The Travel Mum, the blogger has chucked a lifeline to delayed flyers by sharing a genius tip that could see passengers forced to wait hours for their flights recoup some money. Addressing her huge 417,000 TikTok following, she highlights how often travellers with airlines like Ryanir, TUI and easyJet are missing out on their entitled reimbursements. "Is there anything worse than getting to the airport and finding out your flight has been delayed?" she asked. "Well, here is a little hack to make sure you get the compensation you are owed." The Travel Mum added: "Most families don't realise they could be owed up to £520 per person after a delay. A huge 52% of valid claims get wrongly rejected by the airlines for all sorts of reasons." The Travel mum recommended AirHelp, a stellar online service that eases the task of claiming compensation for inconvenienced passengers facing delays, cancellations, and overbookings. The platform, boasting an impressive 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, says it has supported more than 2.7 million people in successfully claiming. While users can utilise a free compensation checker on the platform to see potential pay-outs, securing the cash with AirHelp's guidance isn't cost-free - although they tempt with a 'no win, no fee' option, a 35% slice of the pay-out is the standard charge if the claim is successful, reports the Daily Record. You can opt for an AirHelp+ annual membership from just £34.99 a year, dodging any deductions from your compensation payouts. With AirHelp, the burden of paperwork and negotiation is lifted from your shoulders, regardless of the fee plan you choose; they even cover all court costs up to an incredible £1,000. The Travel mum added: "AirHelp is great because they know what they are talking about, and they will handle the whole claims process for you. They will even take the airline to court if they are denying you what you are owed." It's worth noting, though, that you can lodge a claim yourself at no cost, without involving AirHelp. Reaching out directly to airlines - each with their unique claims protocol - is one way to go about it. Martin Lewis ' MoneySavingExpert offers bountiful tips and a handy, free-to-use online tool for lodging and tracking complaints. Before you get carried away, make sure you're eligible for a payout. Certain conditions need to be met, such as cancellations within a fortnight of departure, strikes by airline staff, or when the disturbance is the airline's responsibility. However, remember that uproarious weather, political turmoil, volcanic ash clouds and security issues don't make the cut for compensation claims. If you're jetting off from a UK or EU airport, or with a UK or EU-based airline landing in these zones, your flight should be protected by EU and UK compensation rules. This also applies if you've booked through a travel agency or tour operator. However, any flight provider or airport outside the EU may have different rules. For more details, check out MSE's compensation guide or visit AirHelp.