A $1.4 billion order for 11 new Boeing aircraft was finalised by Tui Group at the Farnborough Airshow yesterday.
The deal covers ten 737 MAX 8s and one extended range 787-9 Dreamliner and an option for another 787.
Tui Group now has three unfilled orders for 787-9s and 70 for the 737 MAX. The group’s airlines currently operate a fleet of 13 787-8s and one 787-9.
The new single-aisle 737 will deliver 20% lower fuel consumption than the first next-generation 737s. Boeing claims the lowest operating costs in its class for the aircraft at 8% per seat less than its nearest competitor.
Tui Group currently operates 136 aircraft across six pan-European airlines, including Thomson.
David Burling, member of the Tui executive board and responsible for Tui Group Airlines, said: “We are committed to investing in our aircraft fleet in order to keep improving our customer’s experience and to grow ahead of the market.
“This includes the expansion of our long haul holiday programme and providing more choice of flight times and durations to new destinations.
“Our customers tell us how much they appreciate the investment we are making in new aircraft, so we’re pleased to make flying with Tui an even more enjoyable experience with this latest order.”
Tui aims to operate Europe’s most carbon efficient airlines and reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 10% by 2020.
“With the 737 MAX, we will be able carry our short-haul customers further, in greater comfort, more efficiently and with an even lower environmental impact,” Burling added. “The 737 MAX will contribute significantly towards fulfilling our commitment to further reducing the carbon intensity of our operations.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Ray Conner said: “Tui Group’s customers have benefited from the unrivalled passenger features on board the 787-8, since they became the UK launch customer in 2013.
“The addition of 787-9s to its fleet will provide Tui Group with greater flexibility across its route network, while the 737 MAX will ensure it remains at the forefront of the European leisure market.”