Hurghada, Faro, Fuerteventura: TUI Expands Its Flights and Routes from Cardiff Airport for Summer 2026 to Meet Growing Demand

TUI has unveiled a significant expansion of its flight programme from Cardiff Airport for the summer of 2026, with exciting new routes to Hurghada in Egypt, Faro in Portugal, and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. Alongside these new offerings, the airline is also increasing flight frequencies to several other popular holiday destinations including Antalya, Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca, Enfidha, and Tenerife. This expansion provides Welsh travellers with an unprecedented choice and flexibility for their summer holidays from their local airport, supporting government goals to boost regional tourism access and economic growth.

New Routes Enhance Connectivity for Welsh Holidaymakers

Starting in summer 2026, TUI will base a fourth aircraft at Cardiff Airport, a clear indication of the airline’s confidence in the Welsh market. The introduction of new destinations is part of a broader strategy supported by the UK Government’s Department for Transport and Visit Wales, which encourages enhanced regional connectivity to foster outbound tourism and local economic benefits.

Hurghada, Egypt: Launching on May 2, 2026, this new route gives travellers direct access to one of Egypt’s premier Red Sea resorts, famed for its year-round sunshine, vibrant coral reefs, and extensive leisure offerings. This route aligns with Visit Egypt’s tourism promotion strategy focusing on increasing accessibility from the UK to key resort destinations.
Faro, Portugal: Commencing May 21, 2026, this direct flight to Faro opens up the Algarve’s stunning coastline and golden beaches to Welsh travellers. The Algarve remains a favourite destination for British tourists, with the Portuguese government and Turismo de Portugal actively promoting air connectivity and regional tourism diversification.
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands: Previously offered only in winter, this route will now continue through the summer season starting December 20, 2025, providing year-round sunshine to one of the Canary Islands’ most attractive and diverse locations. Spain’s national and regional tourism authorities have emphasized the importance of the Canaries as a key winter sun destination with expanding appeal across seasons.

Increased Flight Frequencies Meet Growing Popularity of Classic Destinations

Alongside new routes, TUI is responding to sustained demand by increasing the number of flights to already popular destinations, supporting the UK Government’s Aviation Strategy to boost passenger choice and regional airport utilization:

Antalya, Turkey: Flight frequency increases from three to four weekly flights, reinforcing Turkey’s position as a key holiday hotspot for Welsh travellers, particularly for beach and cultural tourism. This supports Visit Turkey’s efforts to attract UK visitors with improved air access.
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: The weekly flights will double from one to two, facilitating more flexible travel plans to the island known for its diverse landscapes and family-friendly resorts.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain: Increased from five to six flights per week, reflecting Mallorca’s status as a perennial favourite destination within British holidaymakers.
Enfidha, Tunisia: Flights will increase from two to three weekly, tapping into Tunisia’s growing appeal for cultural and beach tourism, a focus of Tunisia’s Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts.
Tenerife, Canary Islands: An additional flight brings weekly service up to four flights, catering to sustained demand for Tenerife’s natural parks, beaches, and vibrant nightlife.

Supporting Regional Growth and Tourism Sector Recovery

This expansion comes at a critical time for Cardiff Airport and the Welsh tourism economy, both striving to recover and grow following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Welsh Government’s Tourism Recovery Plan highlights the importance of developing strong outbound travel options and supporting regional airports like Cardiff to provide more accessible, sustainable travel choices for local communities.

Lee Smith, Head of Business Development at Cardiff Airport, emphasized, “TUI’s latest announcement represents a significant vote of confidence in Wales. The addition of a fourth based aircraft and new routes will add approximately 48,000 more holiday seats next summer, generating valuable economic activity and providing Welsh holidaymakers with greater options.”

Enhancing Customer Choice and Flexibility

Chris Logan, Commercial Director for TUI UK & Ireland, stated, “We are excited to expand our offering from Cardiff Airport with new destinations and increased frequencies to our most popular holiday spots. This enhanced programme delivers on our commitment to provide customers with the holiday options they want, right from their local airport, making travel more convenient and accessible.”

TUI’s increased capacity from Cardiff aligns with broader UK government policies encouraging regional airport development to reduce travel times and environmental impacts linked to longer journeys to major hubs. By offering more direct flights from Cardiff, TUI supports sustainable travel goals while expanding access for Welsh consumers.

Economic and Environmental Considerations

The aviation expansion at Cardiff also reflects the careful balancing of economic and environmental priorities articulated in the UK Government’s Jet Zero Strategy, which aims to reduce aviation emissions while supporting growth. TUI’s investment in more efficient aircraft and route optimization from Cardiff contributes positively to these objectives.

Moreover, the increased connectivity enhances Wales’ position within international tourism networks, potentially stimulating inbound visits as well, consistent with Visit Wales’ ambition to attract more overseas visitors and stimulate local economies across the country.

What This Means for Welsh Travellers

For Welsh holidaymakers, these developments translate into more convenient access to a broader range of sunny, cultural, and adventure destinations without the need to travel far afield to England’s major airports.

Destinations like Hurghada offer vibrant cultural experiences and excellent diving opportunities, Faro provides access to some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches and golf courses, while Fuerteventura appeals with its desert landscapes and year-round mild climate.

The increased frequencies to destinations like Antalya, Palma, and Tenerife mean holidaymakers can enjoy more flexible scheduling, competitive pricing, and improved availability, making summer 2026 an ideal time to plan their getaways.

Conclusion: A Win for Cardiff Airport and Welsh Tourism

TUI’s expansion from Cardiff Airport for summer 2026 marks a major milestone in the airport’s post-pandemic recovery and growth trajectory. The introduction of new routes to Hurghada, Faro, and year-round Fuerteventura, combined with increased flights to popular holiday spots, reinforces Cardiff’s role as a vital gateway for Welsh travellers.

This expansion supports government ambitions to decentralize UK air travel, stimulate regional economies, and promote sustainable tourism. With more choice and greater flexibility, Welsh holidaymakers will be well-positioned to enjoy memorable and accessible vacations abroad in summer 2026.

As the Welsh Government and UK authorities continue to promote regional connectivity and tourism growth, partnerships with airlines like TUI remain essential to delivering these goals.

The post Hurghada, Faro, Fuerteventura: TUI Expands Its Flights and Routes from Cardiff Airport for Summer 2026 to Meet Growing Demand appeared first on Travel And Tour World.