TUI Announces Nile Cruises with Fourth Ship

TUI Announces Nile Cruises with Fourth Ship

TUI River Cruises is expanding its offerings with an announcement of a new Nile cruise program set to begin in Winter 2024.

The cruise line will introduce exclusive TUI charter flights from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports to Luxor, Egypt, making it the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor, according to a press release from the company.

The new Nile cruises will feature a fully refurbished five-star ship named TUI Al Horeya, meaning “freedom,” accommodating 145 passengers across 74 cabins, including singles, standard cabins, and suites. Embarking on seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor, guests will experience the Nile and visit landmarks like the Luxor and Edfu Temples.

Chris Hackney, Managing Director of TUI River Cruises, expressed enthusiasm for the new offering, noting that a cruise along the Nile provides an unforgettable experience with year-round sunshine, making Egypt the perfect destination for immersing oneself in ancient history, he said.

Hackney said: “TUI River Cruises is going from strength to strength, and we are so excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love.

“A cruise along the Nile offers a serene and unforgettable experience with lush landscapes, traditional villages, and other iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Edfu Temples. With year-round sunshine, Egypt is the perfect destination for exploring ancient history and allowing guests to immerse themselves in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Hackney said.

To enhance the customer experience, dedicated licensed Egyptologists will be on hand throughout the trip to provide insights and answer any questions about the historical significance of the sites visited.

The company said that the TUI Al Horeya boasts modern amenities, including a top-deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, a restaurant, Al Fresco dining, a lounge bar, a wellness studio and a boutique shop.

Guests can also enjoy a day and night entertainment program and a range of expert-curated excursions that offer a journey back to the era of pharaohs and dynasties.

British Airways ‘may not operate at Gatwick after pandemic’

British Airways ‘may not operate at Gatwick after pandemic’

British Airways at Gatwick Airport

British Airways has told its staff that it may not reopen its operation at Gatwick airport after the coronavirus pandemic passes.

A leaked memo written by the head of BA’s Gatwick hub, Adam Carson, was written after BA announced a consultation that could result in the loss of up to 12,000 jobs.

BA’s Gatwick operation, which is currently suspended amid travel restrictions, is about a fifth the size of its hub at Heathrow where it has a dedicated terminal.

The letter, seen by Travel Weekly, said: “As you know, we suspended our Gatwick flying schedule at the end of April and there is no certainty as to when or if these services can or will return. Today’s announcement outlines how we propose to ensure we are competitive and sustainable for the future, that we are the right size to meet demand and that we can be flexible and resilient to change.”

It also points to a “reduction in the size of our cabin crew community” and changes to pay and reveals that BA’s ground staff at Gatwick are expected to be transferred to BA subsidiary Gatwick Ground Services.

In a separate letter to pilots, seen by the BBC, BA said it cannot rule out suspending the rest of its Heathrow operation. The letter is quoted as saying that some of the airline’s rivals abroad are facing tough competition and reportedly suggests that a quarter of BA’s 4,300 pilots are set to lose their jobs.

BBC News said the letter from senior management says: “We need to ensure that our remaining operation is efficient, flexible and cost-competitive to enable us to survive in an increasingly lean and unpredictable industry.”

Travel Weekly has approached British Airways for comment.

On Tuesday, British Airways parent IAG said it could make up to 12,000 of the airline’s staff redundant in a restructure.

British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz said the “outlook for the aviation industry has worsened” over recent weeks, leaving the airline with no choice but to take action and “act decisively”.

Unions have criticised the move.

Responding to news that BA was considering its position at Gatwick, Brian Strutton, general secretary at pilots union Balpa, said: “As far as Balpa is aware, there is no truth in the rumour that British Airways will pull out of Gatwick and there has been no indication of that from BA to us. However, it is on our list of questions to ask them.”

Thomson reports 'fabulous' demand as Dreamliner arrives

Thomson Airways flew its first Dreamliner into Manchester rather than London Gatwick on Friday as a mark of its support for regional airports.

Managing director Chris Browne said:  "Manchester is really an important airport for us. The Thomson airways boss told Travel Weekly: "We're a big supporter of regional airports.

"We were based in Manchester when we ordered the aircraft."

Browne hailed Tui Travel's announcement on the day the Dreamliner arrived of a deal to buy up to 150 of the latest short-haul Boeing 737s as "huge".

She said: "It's about confidence in the future. The business is doing so well. It's great we can invest so much.

"We had to place the order now to get the options on aircraft or we would have to wait. You could not get a 787 now for years."

Browne described demand to fly on the Dreamliner as "fabulous" despite the delay in delivery. Thomson had been due to start its summer flight programme to Florida and Cancun with the 787 on May 1.

However, the aircraft was grounded worldwide in January following a battery fire and only resumed flying last month.

Browne said: "It's the first time I've ever known people book a holiday because of an aircraft. The summer programme is pretty much sold up. Winter is selling fabulously."

Thomson will launch 787 flights from Manchester and Glasgow on July 8. But prior to that, "There is a serious amount of training for the crew before we begin flying," said Browne.

Thomson plans to operate 47 short-haul flights with the 787 between June 21 and the July 8 start of the long-haul programme."
Browne said: "A lot of people will be very pleasantly surprised."

She said no customer had registered concern about flying on the Dreamliner. "Customers have been very understanding. They trust Thomson and Boeing not to put an unsafe aircraft in the air."

Virgin reveals brand for new domestic services

By Phil Davies 

Virgin Atlantic’s new UK domestic services will operate under the name Little Red.

Flights start on March 31 from Manchester with three flights a day to Heathrow followed by six a day from Edinburgh on April 5 and three a day from Aberdeen on April 9.

Services will operate to Heathrow Terminal 1 with bus transfers to connect with Virgin Atlantic long-haul routes to long-haul destinations from Terminal 3.

Fares start at £99 as Virgin seeks to compete head-to-head with rival British Airways on UK routes for the first time.

Virgin won key take-off and landing slots at Heathrow after Bmi was taken over by BA parent International Airlines Group and willI  use leased Aer Lingus aircraft.

BA runs around 52 daily flights between Heathrow and Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow together with services to Scotland from Gatwick and London City airports.

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said that Little Red will "go head-to-head with BA to provide domestic flights that deliver Virgin Atlantic's rock and roll spirit as well as real value for money."

BA parent agrees €355 million bid for BMI

Nov 04, 2011 08:30AM GMT

British Airways/Iberia parent company International Airlines Group has agreed to buy loss-making Heathrow rival BMI from Lufthansa.

The deal, which will be seen as a major coup for IAG chief executive Willie Walsh, is expected to be completed early next year. Today’s announcement will come as a major blow to Virgin Atlantic which faces being further marginalised at the London hub.

BMI controls 9% of valuable take-off and landing slots at Heathrow, which is now operating at full capacity after plans to build a third runway were scrapped.

But the deal with IAG is likely to attract a competition probe over potential dominance of slots at Heathrow. BMI has 300 flights a week operating from Heathrow and recently sold six sets of slots to BA.

“It gives BA the opportunity to grow in the UK,” said Walsh, who admitted that the deal, reported to be worth €355 million, had yet to be finalised.

Walsh said the deal will mean IAG will have around half of the slots at Heathrow but this is still less than Lufthansa at Frankfurt and Air France/KLM has at Paris. The takeover of BMI will enable BA to expand its long-haul network.

Virgin Atlantic said: "British Airways' hold over Heathrow is already too dominant and we are very concerned - as the competition authorities should also be - that BA's purchase of BMI would be disastrous for consumer choice and competition."

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning Walsh ruled out a bid for ailing Italian carrier Alitalia.

IAG said: “The sale and closing of the deal remain subject to conditions including a binding purchase agreement, further due diligence and regulatory clearances. It is envisaged that the purchase agreement will be signed in the coming weeks and the aim is for the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2012.”

BMI reported a loss of €154 million in the first nine months of 2011.