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TUI adds new route and extra flights at Cardiff Wales Airport

By Stephen Price
Tui at Cardiff Aiprort

TUI has announced a major expansion at Cardiff Wales Airport with new destinations, exclusive routes, and boosted frequency to some of the most sought-after holiday spots for Welsh travellers.

These additional routes aligns with Marella Cruises’ much anticipated winter program in Gran Canaria, and additional capacity means holidaymakers have even more options for a winter getaway or summer sun from their local airport.

From Winter 2025, a second aircraft will also be based at Cardiff Airport, increasing choice for customers.

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New exclusive route

TUI will introduce a brand-new, exclusive route from Cardiff to Fuerteventura, taking Welsh travellers directly to the year-round sunshine of this popular Canary Island.

The service takes off Saturday, December 20, 2025, just in time for a Christmas escape.

Following strong demand, TUI is doubling its flights to Gran Canaria, moving from once to twice weekly. This increased service starts Thursday, December 18, 2025, giving travellers more flexibility to plan their holiday.

Furthermore, Marella Cruises will include Canary Island itineraries from Cardiff Airport aboard Marella Voyager.

One example of the itinteraries is the ‘Island Explorer’ departing from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Arrecife, Lanzarote, Funchal, Madeira, Santa Cruz de La Palm and finishing up in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria throughout the season.

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Extra flights to Tenerife

Tenerife lovers will enjoy even greater access to their favourite island, with flights increasing from three to four times a week starting Sunday, December 21, 2025.

As the winter turns to summer, TUI will keep these added services running, ensuring travellers from Cardiff have top-notch access to their favourite destinations year-round.

Cardiff Airport

The brand-new Fuerteventura route will continue into summer 2026, offering a seasonal escape to one of the Canary Islands’ tourist favourites, right from Cardiff.

TUI’s twice-weekly flights to Gran Canaria will continue through summer, offering convenience and flexibility for those wanting to enjoy the endless charms of this island.

"Commitment to Wales"

TUI UK&I Commercial Director Phillip Iveson said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to expand our choice for holidaymakers travelling from Cardiff Airport, with exclusive new routes and additional flights that make it even easier for travellers to reach fantastic destinations from their doorstep.

"We know that Welsh holidaymakers love the Canary Islands, and this increase in capacity means they can now fly more frequently and at more convenient times”.

Spencer Birns, CEO of Cardiff Wales Airport said: “This fantastic news from TUI, one of our biggest Airport customers, reinforces the tour operator’s commitment to Wales.

"There’ll be an additional 20,000 holidays on sale, as a result. Our customers have been asking for more choice from our National Airport. It’s great that TUI is growing in Wales.

"TUI employs more than 550 people across Wales. This year, TUI has announced new destinations from Cardiff: Fuerteventura, Cancun and Chambéry, plus more flights to Barbados. This announcement means TUI now has 26 destinations on sale from Cardiff.”

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18 comments

Ernie The Smallholder

All you now need is a direct rail link between the Airport terminal and the centre of Cardiff; Like every other European capital.

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hdavies15

Better rail and road links are needed. Try travelling by car or coach from west of Bridgend. It's either the long loop vis M4, or a shorter loop via A48, or the shorter but tortuous road via Wick. By rail from the west is nearly an all day job.

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Lorrie

Well better than the drive to Bristol Bridgend is just a stroll to Cardiff Airport i live further than Bridgend but still prefer that journey than Bristol

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In reply to Lorrie

A. Nicholls

Exactly, can't stand the journey to Bristol Airport. Love Cardiff Airport, not too big.

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In reply to Lorrie

Johnny Gamble

I accept your point on the road journey by private car but public transport to CWL is a joke. The airport doesn't even have a railway station that is on the site of the airport. I know that Bristol doesn't have a rail link but at least there's regular express buses from Temple Meads to the airport. The last time I looked the only bus links for CWL was a local service service that stops at practically every bus stop from the City Centre to the Airport.

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In reply to Johnny Gamble

Bob

It's 42 minutes from Cardiff Central or Bridgend to the terminal via the connecting shuttle which is as good as most airports. The main problem is the rail service starts too late and finishes too early to be useful for all flights. If that can be fixed along with the promised increase to a half hourly service and shiny new trains it'll be better than Bristol even with the short bus ride which is no different to many airport carparks.

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In reply to Bob

Rob

I agree with you in regards to times (should be 24/7), but the current rail link means you have to change twice from the main south Wales line. We could resolve this by either having a Swansea - Bristol service going via Rhoose, or restore the express service to the new bus station (with through ticketing)

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In reply to Rob

Bert

Running the new VoG class 231's through to Swansea and Bristol would be a massive improvement. The express bus also needs to return. Ideally GWR would also extend some of their London services that terminate at Cardiff to the airport where they could reverse if a crossover was installed.

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Graham Taylor

The rail link from Cardiff Central to Cardiff airport, will happen in early 2007

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Nobby Tart

I've used all 3 of those routes you mention and they are easy routes. M4 J32 and over Culverhouse Cross for the 6am KLM shuttle (hopefully that will come back). A48 and Bonvilston Five Mile Lane for the times when the sun is up. The scenic route through Wick and Ewenny for the way home sometimes. A direct rail link isn't going to happen. Cardiff is not London, Rome or Madrid. Dublin, for example, doesn't have a direct rail link to its airport.

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Gordon Potter

Cancun & Barbados... these are the destinations CWL need. Add Cape Verde & Egypt and the airport will be among the best for those who don't want the flying coach to Spain.

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Ianto

And that right-wing loonie RT Davies ("things are all better in England") will still be demanding that Wales gets rid of its only international airport.

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Boi o Felindre

Rt would give his soul to be a Sais - Ych a fi'r diawl

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Welsh Patriot

Major expansion????

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Bert

Doubling the number of aircraft based at the airport is a major expansion.

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Graham Taylor

Tell the gov to sell it to a group of companies who have offered to buy Cardiff airport since 2020?

Reply
Bert

Which group of companies and what's their proposal?

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Nobby Tart

First I've heard of this, and I'm a big Cardiff Airport supporter. What group and what were their plans for the airport?

Reply

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