Published: 4 January 2026
By Rupert the Reindeer, AppSavvyTraveller Editorial Team
TUI has confirmed a major expansion of its operations at Cardiff Airport for Summer 2026, adding new routes and increasing flight frequencies to several high-demand holiday destinations. The move will see a fourth TUI aircraft based in Wales next summer, significantly increasing choice for travellers flying from Cardiff and reinforcing the airport’s growing role in the UK leisure travel market.
The expanded programme includes brand-new services to Egypt and Portugal, alongside additional flights to popular Mediterranean and Canary Islands destinations. According to both TUI and Cardiff Airport, the extra capacity responds directly to rising demand from Welsh travellers who prefer to start their holidays closer to home.
A fourth based aircraft strengthens TUI’s Welsh operation
From Summer 2026, TUI will base a fourth aircraft at Cardiff Airport, following earlier confirmation of a second aircraft for Winter operations. This additional aircraft underpins the expanded route map and higher frequencies, allowing TUI to offer more seats and greater scheduling flexibility throughout the peak summer season.
For travellers, this translates into more departure days, better availability during school holidays, and less reliance on longer journeys to airports in England. For the airport itself, the announcement represents one of the most significant single-airline capacity increases in recent years.
New routes launching from Cardiff in Summer 2026
TUI’s Summer 2026 programme introduces three notable route developments, two of which are completely new for Cardiff.
Hurghada, Egypt
On 2 May 2026, TUI will launch a new direct route from Cardiff to Hurghada. The Red Sea resort is well known for year-round sunshine, beach resorts, and access to coral reefs, making it a popular choice for families and all-inclusive holidays.
The new service gives Welsh travellers direct access to Egypt without the need to connect via other UK airports, a move likely to appeal to winter-sun seekers extending their travel into early summer.
Faro, Portugal
A new route to Faro will launch on 21 May 2026, opening up direct access to Portugal’s Algarve region from Cardiff. Faro serves as the main gateway to some of southern Europe’s most popular beach destinations, including Albufeira, Lagos, and Vilamoura.
The addition strengthens Cardiff’s short-haul European offering and is expected to attract both families and couples looking for classic summer sun breaks.
Fuerteventura continues into summer
Flights to Fuerteventura, which launch for the first time in Winter from 20 December 2025, will now continue through Summer 2026. This effectively turns Fuerteventura into a year-round destination from Cardiff, giving travellers greater flexibility to book Canary Islands holidays outside the traditional peak months.
Increased flight frequencies to high-demand destinations
Alongside new routes, TUI is also boosting frequencies on several established services from Cardiff, reflecting sustained demand for Mediterranean and island destinations.
- Antalya will increase from three to four flights per week.
- Gran Canaria services will double from one to two flights per week.
- Palma de Mallorca will rise from five to six flights per week.
- Enfidha will increase from two to three weekly flights.
- Tenerife will gain an additional weekly service, taking the total to four flights per week.
These changes significantly expand capacity on some of the airport’s most popular leisure routes, particularly to Spain, Turkey, and Tunisia.
What TUI and Cardiff Airport are saying
Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK & Ireland, said the expansion reflects strong and growing demand from Welsh customers.
He commented that the airline is “really excited to be expanding our routes and flying frequency from Cardiff Airport to give our customers even more choice and flexibility,” adding that demand for destinations such as Turkey, Tenerife, and Mallorca has grown year on year.
From the airport’s perspective, the announcement is being seen as a vote of confidence in the Welsh market. Lee Smith, Head of Business Development at Cardiff Airport, described the expansion as a “major investment in Cardiff Airport and Wales from TUI.”
He added that the additional summer capacity will deliver around 48,000 extra holidays from Cardiff next summer, including the new Faro and Hurghada routes.
Why this matters for travellers in Wales
For travellers based in South Wales and the South West of England, the expanded TUI programme means more options without the need to travel to Bristol, Birmingham, or London airports. Increased frequencies also make it easier to find flights that fit school holiday dates, weekend departures, or specific hotel availability.
From a broader perspective, the move strengthens Cardiff Airport’s position as a viable leisure gateway, supporting local jobs while improving connectivity for outbound tourism.
Booking and managing TUI flights
TUI flights and package holidays from Cardiff can be managed digitally via the TUI app, which provides flight updates, booking management, and destination information in one place. For travellers flying from Cardiff, this is particularly useful when juggling increased frequency and multiple departure days across the summer schedule.
What to expect next
With Summer 2026 still some way off, further schedule refinements and potential additional capacity are not ruled out. However, the confirmation of a fourth based aircraft signals a long-term commitment to Cardiff rather than a short-term seasonal experiment.
For Welsh travellers planning ahead, the message is clear: Summer 2026 will offer more destinations, more seats, and more flexibility than ever before from Cardiff Airport.
Last updated: 1st January 2026
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