TUI announced that Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) will become the Florida gateway for all customers traveling to Orlando and Central Florida beginning 2022.
Melbourne Airport Authority Chairman Jack L. Ryals and MLB Executive Director Greg Donovan, A.A.E., were welcomed by TUI UK & Ireland Managing Director Andrew Flintham and TUI Airways Managing Director Dawn Wilson to the TUI UK Headquarters to celebrate the new partnership. The celebration included a signing ceremony, a tour of the airline’s hangar and a peek into one of TUI’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the 300-seat aircraft type that will be used for all the new transatlantic flights. The initial schedule is still under development, but has the potential to be made up of nonstop flights between MLB and nine European cities.
“At TUI we’re committed to offering our customers an outstanding airline and holiday experience and we are delighted to be working with Orlando Melbourne Airport on their exciting expansion plans,” said Dawn Wilson, managing director at TUI Airways. “Our 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.”
MLB Executive Director Greg Donovan, A.A.E., added, “TUI’s proven product combined with MLB’s exceptional concierge services will make for an unprecedented customer experience for UK holidaymakers traveling to Florida. 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.”
TUI UK and MLB will be working together in the coming months to create an outstanding arrival and departure customer experience for holidaymakers, with MLB planning to invest millions of dollars in terminal enhancements that will directly benefit all TUI UK customers and MLB passengers.
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 MLB, 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 MLB 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.
“This is a major win for Melbourne and our entire region,” said Airport Authority Chairman Jack L. Ryals. “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.”
“The possibility of exposing hundreds of thousands of new visitors a year to our community is truly remarkable, or might I say brilliant,” said Mark Busalacchi, MLB’s director of marketing and business development. “The TUI team has been wonderful throughout the decision making process and we look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come.”
