TUI fly Deutschland
German leisure airline operating charter and scheduled flights for TUI Group.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
TUI fly Deutschland, legally TUIfly GmbH, is a German leisure airline belonging to the airline division of TUI Group, one of Europe’s large integrated travel and tourism businesses. The carrier combines scheduled passenger services with charter flying and capacity supplied for TUI holiday packages. Its principal headquarters and main operational base are at Hannover Airport, while its network has historically included several other German bases. The airline was created in 2007 through the combination of Hapag-Lloyd Flug and Hapag-Lloyd Express. The merger brought together a traditional holiday airline and a low-cost-oriented short-haul operator under a common TUI aviation identity. The new carrier initially used the predecessor airlines’ operating codes and retained the YELLOWCAB callsign before changing to TUIJET in September 2010. Early network rationalization included the closure of bases at Leipzig/Halle and Bremen. The company also experienced a lower load factor during its first operating period than the predecessor business had achieved in the previous year. TUI fly Deutschland has periodically adjusted its role within the wider German aviation market. In 2008 it explored a possible combination with Lufthansa’s Eurowings and Germanwings, but the discussions did not produce a transaction. In 2009 TUI and Air Berlin negotiated a strategic partnership involving reciprocal equity interests, aircraft leasing, and the transfer of city routes. Regulatory concerns reduced the proposed holdings, and from late 2009 Air Berlin assumed marketing and operation of a number of domestic and European city connections, with many flights still performed using TUI fly aircraft. TUI’s German airline subsequently concentrated more strongly on leisure and charter traffic. The brand changed its visual identity during the 2010s. In 2013 it began replacing its distinctive yellow aircraft appearance with the blue TUI design used by other airlines in the group. The first aircraft in the new scheme arrived at Hannover in February 2014, and the presentation was refined again in 2016 when the aircraft titles were shortened from “TUIfly” to “TUI.” The airline also reorganized its German airport presence, moving operations from Zweibrücken to nearby Saarbrücken in 2014, withdrawing from Hamburg by March 2016, and closing its Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden base in 2018. TUI fly Deutschland considered further structural cooperation after Air Berlin encountered financial difficulty. In 2016 TUI, Air Berlin, and Etihad examined a holding company for leisure operations serving Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The proposed venture was not completed; TUI Group and Etihad Aviation Group confirmed in June 2017 that negotiations had ended. The airline later expanded its German leisure footprint at Nuremberg after Germania ceased operations in 2019. Its fleet has primarily consisted of Boeing 737 aircraft. TUI Group ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for its airline businesses, and TUI fly Deutschland was expected to receive 737 MAX 8 aircraft during the following years. The airline retired its last Boeing 737-700 in October 2020, including aircraft that had previously been used on long-term wet leases for Air Berlin. A proposed move into long-haul leisure flying with Boeing 787 aircraft and services to destinations such as Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic was later put on hold in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a substantial reduction in the German operation. In December 2020 TUI announced a downsizing from more than 30 aircraft to 17 and the termination of services from Cologne/Bonn, Basel/Mulhouse, Paderborn/Lippstadt, and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden. The airline’s continuing business is centered on leisure routes from Germany to destinations around the Mediterranean and nearby holiday regions, including Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Israel. Depending on the ro…
History
TUI fly Deutschland is the successor to two TUI aviation businesses, Hapag-Lloyd Flug and Hapag-Lloyd Express. Their combination in 2007 created a single German leisure airline capable of serving both package-tour demand and independently purchased air travel. The new carrier operated under the TUIfly identity while continuing to use the operating codes inherited from its predecessors. Its early network was adjusted through the closure of the Leipzig/Halle and Bremen bases, reflecting the need to align capacity with demand and the airline’s intended holiday-market focus. The airline’s position within the German aviation sector remained fluid during its first years. In 2008, TUI discussed a possible combination with Eurowings and Germanwings, the low-cost subsidiaries associated with Lufthansa. The concept would have created a separate holding structure, but the talks did not reach completion. In 2009, TUI Travel and Air Berlin announced a strategic partnership involving reciprocal shareholdings, aircraft wet leases, and the transfer of city routes. Regulatory considerations caused the proposed equity interests to be reduced. From October of that year, Air Berlin took over the marketing and operation of German domestic routes and several services to Austria, Italy, and Croatia, although many flights continued to be flown with TUI aircraft. This arrangement allowed TUI fly Deutschland to emphasize holiday and charter flying rather than competing broadly in city markets. Brand presentation changed substantially during the 2010s. The airline abandoned its distinctive yellow livery in favor of the blue TUI scheme used by sister airlines in the group. The first aircraft in the revised colors arrived in February 2014, and the branding was updated again in 2016 when the aircraft titles were shortened to “TUI.” At the same time, the company reorganized its airport network. It shifted flying from Zweibrücken to Saarbrücken in 2014 because of Zweibrücken’s deteriorating financial position, withdrew from Hamburg by March 2016 amid strong low-cost-carrier competition, and announced the closure of Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden in 2018. TUI fly Deutschland was again involved in broader consolidation discussions in 2016. TUI, Air Berlin, and Etihad Aviation Group considered creating a holding company for leisure operations across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The plan was intended to combine complementary airline assets and strengthen holiday flying, but negotiations ended in June 2017 without a joint venture. After Germania ceased operations in early 2019, TUI fly Deutschland announced additional aircraft placement at Nuremberg to serve leisure destinations. Fleet planning during this period centered on the Boeing 737 family. TUI Group ordered 737 MAX aircraft for its airline network, and TUI fly Deutschland was expected to receive 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The German carrier also retired its final Boeing 737-700 in October 2020. Several of those aircraft had previously been used under long-term wet-lease arrangements for Air Berlin. A separate plan to introduce Boeing 787 aircraft and launch long-haul services from Germany to Mexico and Caribbean destinations was announced in 2019, but the proposal was suspended during the COVID-19 crisis and did not become part of the established German network. The pandemic produced a major contraction. In December 2020, TUI announced reductions in staffing and fleet size, taking the German operation from more than 30 aircraft to 17. Services from Cologne/Bonn, Basel/Mulhouse, Paderborn/Lippstadt, and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden were terminated. The continuing business model remains centered on German-origin leisure travel, particularly to Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece, Portugal, southern Italy, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Israel. Distribution combines direct seat sales, TUI package holidays, and third-party travel agencies. On selected destinations the airline provides snacks, drinks, and meals, with hot meals on some of the longer holiday routes.
- 2020
Fleet and network downsizing
[1]The airline retired its Boeing 737-700 fleet and announced a reduction to 17 aircraft together with several airport withdrawals.
- 2019
Nuremberg expansion planned
[1]TUI fly Deutschland announced new aircraft basing at Nuremberg following Germania’s collapse.
- 2017
TUI-Etihad leisure venture ends
[1]Negotiations to establish a joint leisure airline holding company were terminated.
- 2016
German airport network reduced
[1]The airline completed its withdrawal from Hamburg and continued consolidating its German base structure.
- 2014
Blue TUI livery introduced
[1]The first aircraft in the group’s blue visual identity arrived at Hannover Airport.
- 2010
Calls sign changes to TUIJET
[1]The airline replaced the predecessor YELLOWCAB callsign with TUIJET.
- 2009
Air Berlin strategic partnership
[1]TUI and Air Berlin agreed a framework involving aircraft wet leases, route transfers, and proposed reciprocal ownership stakes later reduced for regulatory reasons.
- 2008
Proposed combination with Eurowings and Germanwings
[1]TUI explored a joint holding company with Lufthansa’s low-cost subsidiaries, but the talks failed.
- 2007
Formation of TUI fly Deutschland
[1]Hapag-Lloyd Flug and Hapag-Lloyd Express were merged to form the German TUI leisure airline.
Products and positioning
A TUI Group leisure airline focused on German-origin short- and medium-haul holiday travel, combining direct scheduled sales with charter capacity and package-tour distribution.
Airline services · 2007
Scheduled leisure flights
TUI fly Deutschland operates scheduled services from German airports to holiday destinations, principally around the Mediterranean and in nearby leisure regions. The network has included Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece, Portugal, southern Italy, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Israel. Routes are generally designed around seasonal tourism demand rather than business-oriented city connectivity.
Travel and aviation · 2007
Charter and package-holiday capacity
The airline supplies aircraft seats for TUI holiday packages and operates charter services alongside direct scheduled sales. Its distribution model has historically combined seats sold directly to travelers, capacity bundled into TUI vacations, and inventory distributed through other travel agencies.
Passenger services
Inflight catering
On selected routes the airline offers drinks, snacks, and meals. Hot meals are associated with some of its longer holiday flights, including services involving the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Madeira. Catering availability varies according to destination and service arrangement.
Aircraft operations · 2007
Boeing 737 fleet services
The carrier’s operating model is based primarily on Boeing 737-family aircraft suitable for European and nearby leisure routes. Its fleet history includes Boeing 737-700 aircraft and planned or delivered Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft within TUI Group’s broader fleet modernization program.
Brand decisions
2020
Pandemic-related fleet and network reductionStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic sharply reduced leisure-airline demand and required TUI to restructure its German operation.
Action taken
TUI announced layoffs, reduced the fleet from more than 30 aircraft to 17, and ended services from Cologne/Bonn, Basel/Mulhouse, Paderborn/Lippstadt, and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden.
Aftermath
The German airline emerged with a smaller, more concentrated leisure network.
2019
Proposed German long-haul leisure operationProduct launchBackground
TUI fly Deutschland considered extending its holiday network beyond Europe in a model similar to other TUI airline businesses.
Action taken
The airline planned to take two Boeing 787 aircraft and launch scheduled and charter services to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Barbados.
Aftermath
The plan was shelved for the foreseeable future after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted aviation demand and operations.
2016
Withdrawal from HamburgStrategyBackground
TUI fly Deutschland faced increasing competition from low-cost carriers at Hamburg Airport.
Action taken
The airline did not resume its seasonal summer routes and ended its remaining Hamburg services by March 2016.
Aftermath
Hamburg ceased to be part of the airline’s German operating base network.
2016
Proposed leisure holding company with Air Berlin and EtihadM&ABackground
TUI, Air Berlin, and Etihad examined a structure combining leisure operations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Action taken
The parties entered discussions over a new holding company for holiday-focused aviation operations.
Aftermath
The negotiations ended in June 2017 without creation of the proposed joint venture.
2014
Transfer of Zweibrücken operations to SaarbrückenStrategyBackground
Zweibrücken Airport faced bankruptcy and uncertainty about its future.
Action taken
TUI fly Deutschland relocated its operations to nearby Saarbrücken Airport.
Aftermath
The move preserved access to the regional market while removing the airline’s dependence on the financially troubled airport.
2009
Strategic route and fleet partnership with Air BerlinM&ABackground
TUI sought to refocus its German airline on leisure flying while Air Berlin expanded its city and European network.
Action taken
The companies planned reciprocal equity interests, the wet lease of 17 TUI aircraft, and the transfer of city connections to Air Berlin. Regulatory concerns reduced the proposed stakes.
Aftermath
From October 2009, Air Berlin took over the relevant domestic and selected European services, while many flights continued to be operated with TUI aircraft.
Recent events
- 2020
Proposed TUI fly Deutschland long-haul expansion is shelved[1]
Product launch
Plans to operate Boeing 787 aircraft on scheduled and charter routes to the Caribbean and Mexico were put on hold in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2020
TUI fly Deutschland retires its last Boeing 737-700[1]
Product generation
The carrier retired its final Boeing 737-700 aircraft, several of which had previously operated under long-term wet-lease arrangements for Air Berlin.
- 2020
TUI announces major downsizing of the German airline operation[1]
Leadership change
The airline planned to reduce its fleet from more than 30 aircraft to 17, with layoffs and the termination of services from several German airports.
- 2019
TUI fly Deutschland plans Boeing 737 MAX 8 deliveries[1]
Product launch · Product generation
TUI Group’s wider MAX order included aircraft intended for the German airline, with 25 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft announced for delivery to TUI fly Deutschland by 2023.
- 2019
TUI fly Deutschland adds Nuremberg capacity after Germania’s collapse[1]
Other
Following Germania’s insolvency, TUI fly Deutschland announced plans to base aircraft at Nuremberg and serve additional leisure destinations.
- 2018
TUI fly Deutschland closes its Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden base[1]
Other
The airline announced that its base at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden would close by October 2018.
- 2017
TUI and Etihad end negotiations over the proposed leisure venture[1]
M&A
TUI Group and Etihad Aviation Group confirmed that discussions on a joint leisure operation had ended without an agreement.
- 2016
TUI fly Deutschland withdraws from Hamburg Airport[1]
Other
The airline ended its remaining Hamburg routes by March 2016, citing increasing competition from low-cost carriers in the market.
- 2016
TUI, Air Berlin, and Etihad examine a leisure airline holding company[1]
M&A
The parties considered combining leisure operations serving Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but the proposed structure was not completed.
- 2014
TUI fly Deutschland adopts the group’s blue aircraft livery[1]
Other · Product generation
The airline replaced its distinctive yellow appearance with the blue visual identity used across several TUI airline brands.
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