TUI to scrap flights to US, Caribbean and more holiday destinations within months

TUI has announced it will end direct flights from London Gatwick to Costa Rica and Saint Lucia from spring.

The travel operator will also cease its direct service from Birmingham to Orlando in Florida.

The company confirmed it will stop flying to Costa Rica from the end of April while the Saint Lucia route ceases operations at the end of May.

Costa Rica saw a five per cent increase in British visitors last year, reaching 50,000 tourists.

TUI has been operating a winter-only programme in Costa Rica since the post-pandemic period.

The airline flies to Liberia for easy access to the country’s Pacific coast resorts.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has expressed confidence that visitor numbers will not decline following TUI’s decision.

The island welcomed 435,000 overnight visitors last year, a 14 per cent increase compared to 2023.

SLTA director UK & Europe, Patricia Charlery-Leon said: “The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is aware of TUI’s plans to end its service to the island.

“Whilst the initial news was disappointing, the operator is confident that with airlines flying regularly to the destination it will see the same numbers of arrivals in due course.

“SLTA will continue to work with TUI to offer clients a wonderful holiday experience.”

A TUI spokesperson told GB News that holidays to St Lucia and Costa Rica will still operate through third-party flying, rather than with TUI Airways.

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The Birmingham to Melbourne Orlando International Airport route will be affected. Birmingham flights will be absorbed into the London Gatwick and Manchester flights to Orlando.

Ryanair has also cancelled flights from London Stansted Airport to Denmark in response to a new aviation tax.

The Irish carrier will cease operations from the end of March 2025 with the loss impacting more than 1.7 million passenger seats across 32 routes.