The travelers involved will be offered an alternative flight. They will be contacted personally about this, TUI said.
No TUI fly flights will depart from Deurne airport until the beginning of October. The airline has decided to divert its flights, mainly via Zaventem. This is due to the ongoing shortage of necessary spare parts for their Embraer devices, which forces them to use larger devices. However, these larger aircraft cannot operate from Deurne due to the limited length of the runway.
TUI fly operates its flights to and from Antwerp with three Embraer aircraft type E195-E2, which the company has been using since last year. These devices are regularly checked and maintained. However, global problems with the supply of spare and replacement parts have meant that TUI fly has been forced to rebook flights via Brussels for some time.
Embraer
The problem started a few weeks ago when the first Embraer aircraft was grounded due to the lack of essential spare parts. Embraer is a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer known for its production of commercial, business and military aircraft. Although Embraer devices are in use worldwide and are known for their reliability and efficiency, a second device followed the same fate shortly afterwards. Last weekend, the third aircraft was also taken off the air for the same reason. The lack of these crucial parts means that the aircraft cannot fly safely.
Even though a ticket from Antwerp is usually cheaper than a ticket from Brussels, TUI fly does not provide any compensation for the forced change. This has led to some frustration among passengers, who feel forced to incur additional costs for their travel to Zaventem.
The option to fly from Antwerp with other aircraft turned out to be impossible. The runway in Deurne is too short for the larger aircraft from TUI fly's Boeing fleet. This made it necessary to look for an alternative solution. Most flights depart from Brussels until October 6. Travelers affected by this change will be offered an alternative flight and will be contacted personally by TUI. It is an uncomfortable situation, but according to the airline, this measure is necessary to ensure the safety of passengers.
bloodletting
However, the impact of this decision extends beyond just the airline and its passengers. The fact that TUI fly is closing its books in Antwerp until the fall is a loss for the small, regional airport of Deurne. Just when there was hope for a positive change with the announcement of Bruno De Saegher as the airport's new CEO, this news comes as a bitter pill. Deurne airport, which is already struggling with limited capacity and competition from larger airports such as Zaventem, sees an important source of traffic and income temporarily disappear.
This is not the first time the aviation sector has faced parts supply problems. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains worldwide, leading to delays and shortages in several industries. The aviation sector is no exception. Many airlines have difficulty obtaining the necessary parts on time, which sometimes leads to operational adjustments, as is currently the case with TUI fly.
The situation in Deurne highlights the vulnerability of the aviation industry to global logistics problems. Although most flights will now operate via Brussels, TUI fly continues to monitor the situation closely and hopes to return to normal operations from Deurne as soon as possible.
new CEO
Bruno De Saegher will become the new CEO of both Antwerp Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport from September 1, 2024. De Saegher succeeds Eric Dumas, who has been at the helm since the end of 2020. De Saegher's appointment comes at a crucial time for both airports, especially with the recent approval of a new environmental permit for Antwerp Airport and the ongoing application procedure for Ostend-Bruges Airport. His extensive experience and strategic insights are expected to drive the future growth and sustainability of these important transportation hubs.
De Saegher brings a wealth of experience to his new role, as he has been chairman of the Airport Development Company Flanders (LOM Flanders) since 2015. His tenure at LOM Flanders has given him in-depth knowledge of the operations and strategic needs of both airports. This background gives him a unique perspective and a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead of the airport. His familiarity with airport dynamics is expected to facilitate a smooth transition and enable the rapid implementation of new initiatives.
