Nearly 1,000 TUI Germany package holiday guests are back home. Approximately 4,000 customers from other European source markets were brought home

About two weeks after the start of the war in Iran, all TUI guests have now arrived home safely. This was only possible thanks to the tireless dedication of TUI colleagues in travel agencies, call centers, and customer service, but especially thanks to the efforts of the crews on the ships and the aircraft deployed. TUI’s crisis management team proved particularly effective in securing access to Al Ain Airport in the United Arab Emirates, just a three-hour transfer from Dubai.

Of the approximately 10,000 guests, the vast majority were repatriated directly via twelve TUI Airline flights and 26 charter flights organized by TUI. In addition, TUI’s efforts were supported by bookings through third-party providers, with the resumption of Emirates flights proving helpful. Among the 10,000 guests were approximately 5,000 passengers from the two cruise ships Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, which were stranded in Dubai and Doha, respectively. Furthermore, approximately 1,000 package holiday guests of TUI Germany, about half of whom were from destinations in Asia and whose connecting flights had been canceled, were brought home. Around 4,000 guests from other European source markets have also arrived home safely.

In addition to its customers, TUI has also brought home approximately 1,500 crew members of the Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5. Only a small crew has remained on the ships to handle essential tasks until it becomes possible to safely navigate the ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Similarly, TUI Musement’s colleagues in the Middle East are being brought home.

The crisis has once again demonstrated that package holiday are the safest way to travel. As a tour operator, TUI has a responsibility to bring travelers home safely in crisis situations. TUI has fulfilled this responsibility thanks to the impressive dedication of its colleagues. In addition, TUI has made available any remaining seats on the deployed aircraft to other travel companies and the respective governments to support repatriation efforts.

It is currently unclear when the Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 will be able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Similarly, it is not yet possible to definitively assess the impact of the crisis on business, as it is unclear how long the war will last. Bookings currently show lower demand for eastern destinations. At the same time, there is strong booking momentum for Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Rhodes, and Crete, prompting TUI to offer additional flights to these destinations.