Turkish Delight as TUI Revives Holiday Hotspot Service After 16 Years

TUI’s first flights from Teesside to Turkey in 16 years have today (25 May) taken off – with holidaymakers already praising the new route.

TUI – one of the UK’s largest holiday companies – operated flights to Dalaman under the Thomson Holidays brand until summer 2007.

After a successful 2022 season, it has brought back its connection to the country – serving the popular coast town of Antalya ahead of its reintroduction of a Dalaman service next year.

The airport’s most recent Turkey flight was operated by Onur Air, again to Dalaman, and ended in summer 2011.

It is part of the airport’s huge summer season, which is taking off now and also includes TUI’s flights to Majorca, Balkan Holidays’ Bulgaria connections and Ryanair’s services to Corfu, Faro and Majorca joining its year-round Alicante service.

Passengers have been incredibly positive about the new destination – and the scrapped 100ml liquid limit in security. Airport staff received more complements about the smooth experience through security to departures, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout the airport and how happy local people were to be flying to Turkey once again.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is the latest example of Teesside Airport giving our local passengers the routes they’ve been crying out for and the Turkey connection is a welcome return ahead of TUI’s service to the equally popular Dalaman next year.

“Although we’re now looking at redeveloping the site for business, getting the word out about our £200million business park and new cargo offering, we’re not forgetting the local people who continue to support us – and we’re still working on securing more routes and destinations with airlines, so watch this space.

“Last year was our best summer for more than a decade and, thanks to our new state-of-the-art security scanners, no matter how many people we welcome through our doors this year they’ll be relaxing in the departures bar in no time.”