TUI Airways to Close Luton Base Ahead of Summer 2026

TUI Airways has confirmed plans to close its operational base at London Luton Airport ahead of the summer 2026 season, shifting its remaining aircraft to London Gatwick as the airline refocuses capacity on higher-demand markets. The move will see TUI end aircraft basing at Luton, though the airport will continue to play a limited role in the carrier’s UK network.

The UK leisure airline currently bases a single aircraft at London Luton. Under the plan, that aircraft will be relocated to Gatwick by summer 2026, where TUI says customer demand is stronger and growth opportunities are greater. Gatwick is already TUI’s largest UK base and a core hub for its short- and long-haul leisure operations.

TUI said flights already sold from London Luton will continue to operate as planned. Services will be flown by partner airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet UK, ensuring minimal disruption for customers. In addition, affected passengers will be offered the option to depart from alternative UK airports within TUI’s network.

Despite the base closure, TUI will maintain its Luton–Palma de Mallorca route, a popular leisure service. However, the flight will be operated using aircraft based at other airports rather than being stationed at Luton.

The airline stressed that the decision does not affect its broader presence in Bedfordshire. TUI’s UK headquarters and its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at London Luton will remain fully operational. The airline continues to employ a significant workforce at the site, and no changes have been announced regarding those operations.

The move reflects a wider trend among leisure airlines to concentrate aircraft at fewer, higher-performing bases to improve efficiency and profitability. Rising operating costs, aircraft availability constraints, and shifting travel demand have prompted carriers to reassess network structures and base allocations.

London Gatwick offers TUI stronger connectivity, larger catchment areas, and greater flexibility for aircraft utilization, particularly during peak summer months. By consolidating capacity there, the airline aims to optimize schedules and better align supply with customer demand.

For London Luton Airport, TUI’s exit as a based operator marks a change in its airline mix, though the airport remains heavily focused on low-cost and leisure carriers. As airlines continue to adjust their UK strategies, competition among London-area airports for capacity is expected to intensify.

TUI said it will continue to review its UK network as it adapts to evolving market conditions, with the Luton base closure forming part of its long-term capacity and fleet planning strategy.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com