BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, Florida – TUI, the world’s leading holiday company and the UK’s number one holiday provider, landed its inaugural Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Melbourne Orlando International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
TUI, which previously flew into Orlando Sanford International Airport, inked a seven-year contract to operate at MLB and is now the Florida gateway for all its customers traveling to the Central Florida area.
“Today was a historic day at MLB as we welcomed our first-ever transatlantic flight and European airline, TUI Airways,” said MLB spokesman Rob Himler.
“TUI’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner touched down this afternoon carrying a planeload of British holiday travelers seeking Florida sunshine for the first time in two years.”
Himler said TUI is projected to fly in 135,000 UK tourists this year from seven cities, including Manchester, Doncaster, London Gatwick, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham and Newcastle.
According to Brevard County Office of Tourism Executive Director Peter Cranis, the TDO will dedicate $200,000 to market Brevard County to TUI’s customers during their visit, which will average 10 to 14 days.
“At TUI we’re committed to offering our customers an outstanding airline and holiday experience and we are delighted to be working with Melbourne Orlando Airport on their exciting expansion plans,” said Dawn Wilson, managing director at TUI Airways.
Wilson said the new Orlando gateway will be perfectly situated to offer TUI UK customers total flexibility in designing their holiday around any combination of theme parks, beaches or cruising.
“TUI’s proven product combined with MLB’s exceptional concierge services will make for an unprecedented customer experience for UK holidaymakers traveling to Florida,” said Donovan.
“With more than $100 million of investment into MLB’s airport facilities over the last few years and much more on the way, MLB will be practically the newest and most modern airport in Florida.”
The brand new terminal expansion will include unique concessions, innovative passenger amenities and many other family-friendly features that will provide an entertaining, speedy, stress-free and uncongested experience.
Upon arrival to Melbourne Orlando International Airport, UK holidaymakers will be welcomed by MLB’s team of multi-lingual international ambassadors with a glass of fresh Florida orange juice and assisted with any onward arrangements.
Concierge services, public and private transfer options and all major rental car companies all will be immediately accessible upon arrival.
Landing at Melbourne Orlando International Airport will keep existing TUI customers in close proximity to Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, and bring them even closer to Central Florida’s beaches, cruises and attractions on the Space Coast.
The geographic upgrade also brings TUI customers more than an hour closer to Miami and Fort Lauderdale in South Florida.
“Tourism is our region’s biggest asset, and I look forward to the day when UK travelers are admiring our beaches, enjoying our restaurants, relaxing at our hotels and catching a Space Coast thrill at our attractions,” said Airport Authority Chairman Jack L. Ryals.
Himler said the possibility of exposing hundreds of thousands of new visitors a year to our community is truly remarkable.
“The TUI team has been wonderful and we look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come,” said Himler.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport is an award-winning airport, named Florida’s 2019 Commercial Service Airport of the Year by FDOT and #1 Most Scenic Airport Approach in the U.S.A. by PrivateFly.com.
Located on the Central Florida coast, MLB serves nearly 500,000 passengers annually with current nonstop service to Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte (CLT) on American Airlines, and Atlanta (ATL) on Delta Air Lines.
More than $100 million has been invested in airport infrastructure within the last few years to include three rehabilitated runways, a new ATCT and a reconstructed 40,000-square-foot customs facility.
MLB is an epicenter for aviation, aerospace and defense growth, home to Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Embraer Executive Jets, Collins Aerospace, Thales and more.
TUI UK and Ireland, part of TUI Group, is the business behind the TUI, First Choice and Marella Cruises brands, as well as Crystal Ski Holidays and TUI Lakes & Mountains.
Sub brands include TUI Sensatori, TUI Blue, Holiday Village and SplashWorld Resorts.
TUI UK and Ireland has a team of more than 10,000 employees and serves over six million customers each year.
