TUI Airways Bids Farewell to 767 Fleet: UK Carrier Completes Retirement with Istanbul Send-Off

In a significant move within the aviation landscape, TUI Airways, a prominent UK-based carrier, has officially concluded its operations with the Boeing 767-300ER, retiring its last aircraft on October 31, 2023. The retirement ceremony culminated with the ferrying of the aircraft, registration G-OBYF (msn 28208), to Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen the following day.

The B767-300ER, with a remarkable 25.4-year history, undertook its final revenue flight from Heraklion to Manchester International. This particular aircraft, which had been in service with TUI Airways and its predecessor airlines, namely Thomson Airways and Britannia Airways, since its inception, also had brief stints with TUI fly (Germany) and TUI fly Nordic. It marked the conclusion of an era as the last of a total of twenty B767-300(ER)s operated by TUI Airways over the years.

While the B767 fleet never surpassed fourteen units at a single time, reaching its peak in 2014, the carrier’s commitment to enhancing its fleet is evident. TUI Airways, post the retirement of the B767s, continues to operate a modern and diverse fleet, including eighteen B737-8s, thirty B737-800s, eight B787-8s, and five B787-9s.

Notably, TUI Group’s sole remaining B767-300(ER) is currently in service with TUI fly (Netherlands) and is slated for retirement by early 2024. This strategic move aligns with TUI Airways’ ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet and streamline operations in response to evolving industry trends.

The retirement of the B767 series marks a pivotal moment for TUI Airways, symbolizing the airline’s commitment to innovation and adaptability in the dynamic aviation landscape. As the carrier continues to navigate the skies with its contemporary fleet, this move positions TUI Airways at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.