Major UK travel company will use Orlando Melbourne airport as gateway for Central Florida flights

Bailey Gallion
Florida Today
Orlando Melbourne International Airport.

TUI UK, the United Kingdom's largest travel and tourism company, will be sending all of its Orlando and Central Florida-bound passengers through the Orlando Melbourne International Airport starting in 2022.

The announcement is a "major win for Melbourne and our entire region," said Airport Authority Chairman Jack L. Ryals in a news release. 

Melbourne International will be investing millions of dollars into terminal upgrades, according to a news release. The TUI UK schedule is under development, but may be made up of nonstop flights between Melbourne and nine European cities. TUI UK is a part of the TUI Group, an Anglo-German company that's considered the largest of its kind in the world.

“Tourism is our region’s biggest asset, and I look forward to the day when UK travelers are admiring our beaches, enjoying our restaurants, relaxing at our hotels and catching a Space Coast thrill at our attractions,” Ryals said.

Terminal upgrades will include new concessions, amenities and family friendly features that will "provide an entertaining, speedy, stress-free and uncongested experience," according to the release.

Multi-lingual international ambassadors at the airport will welcome passengers with glasses of fresh Florida orange juice. Concierge services, public and private transportation options and all major rental car companies will be available upon arrival.

More:'Fly-in hotel,' conference center, rooftop bar proposed at Orlando Melbourne airport

More:When is Orlando in Melbourne and Sanford? When money, fliers, SEO and lawyers are involved

“TUI’s proven product combined with MLB’s exceptional concierge services will make for an unprecedented customer experience for UK holidaymakers traveling to Florida," said the airport's Executive Director Greg Donovan. "With more than $100 million of investment into MLB’s airport facilities over the last few years, and much more on the way, MLB will be practically the newest and most modern airport in Florida.”

TUI flies Boeing 787 Dreamliners are on its transatlantic flights. They currently provide service through Orlando Sanford Airport.

Bailey Gallion is the business and development reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallion at bgallion@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3876.