BOURNEMOUTH Airport has announced it will be expanding its operations with a second TUI aircraft for summer 2024 – and a new route also announced.

An extra 60,000 seats are being planned by tour operator TUI, which will see a 33 per cent increase in capacity at Bournemouth Airport compared to this year.

TUI will base a second aircraft at the airport and provide a larger frequency of flights.

A new route to Enfidha in Tunisia will be introduced as part of the company’s expansion plans.

Flights to Ibiza, Lanzarote, Menorca, Heraklion, Paphos, and Tenerife will all be increased to operate twice a week.

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Meanwhile, TUI is offering a twice weekly service to Corfu, Heraklion, and Rhodes, as well as flights to Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

There will also be two flights a week to Dalaman and Antalya in Turkey, and four weekly flights to Mallorca, with two linking to Marella Cruises.

Bournemouth Airport’s managing director Steve Gill said: “We are delighted to announce new flights and increased frequency with TUI for summer 2024.

“With an additional aircraft based at Bournemouth Airport and a new route to Enfidha in Tunisia, we are providing even more choice and flexibility for our passengers, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to our airport.

“Working closely with TUI, this additional capacity is fantastic news for our airport and the local economy.”

Andrew Flintham, TUI managing director, said: “Our customers want more flexibility and to be able to choose a departure airport that is close to home – and that is exactly what the new TUI 2024 summer programme has been designed to do.

“We want every one of our customers to be able to create a holiday as unique as they are – departure airport, destination and duration are all key components which come together to make the perfect TUI holiday.

“The 2024 programme will see extra flights departing from across the UK. Bournemouth Airport will see a significant increase in flight seats offering more holidays to those living in the region.”

TUI is a major operator at Bournemouth Airport with 14 scheduled services this year (2023).

Bournemouth Airport offers 35 destinations in sixteen countries in 2023/24.

Late last year, Ryanair also announced it would be basing a second aircraft at the airport in 2023, enabling 120 flights per week, a 30 per cent increase on last year.

In March, the airline started new flights to Venice, Carcassonne, and Edinburgh, complementing its existing schedule.

A total of 35 destinations are currently available from Bournemouth Airport including:

  • Cyprus: Paphos
  • Croatia: Zadar
  • France: Bergerac, Carcassonne
  • Greece: Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Zante
  • Hungary: Budapest
  • Ireland: Dublin
  • Italy: Venice
  • Lapland: Enontekiö, Ivalo, Pajala
  • Malta
  • Poland: Krakow, Wroclaw
  • Portugal: Faro
  • Scotland: Edinburgh
  • Spain: Alicante, Girona, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Menorca, Murcia, Tenerife
  • Switzerland: Geneva
  • Turkey: Antalya, Dalaman
  • Special Departures: Barbados (fly/cruise), Fjords (fly/cruise)