TUI Airways

Thomsonfly and its successor, TUI Airways (ICAO: TOM), maintain a safety record without any reported fatal accidents involving UK-based carriers between 2005 and 2024. However, there have been several notable incidents throughout its history.

Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:

• In 2006, a Thomsonfly Boeing 737-300 (Flight 3894) experienced unpredictable flight control behavior and a rudder malfunction after takeoff from Girona, almost losing control before the crew successfully recovered and landed. Another incident in 2006 involved smoke in a Boeing 757, which injured three cabin crew.
• In 2007, a Thomsonfly Boeing 737-300 on approach to Bournemouth nearly lost control and stalled during a go-around due to low airspeed and thrust, but the crew recovered the aircraft. The same year, a Thomsonfly 757 experienced a bird strike, causing flames from the engine during takeoff, which was professionally handled by the crew.
• More recently, TUI Airways has also had incidents. In 2010, the airline experienced a hard landing, likely due to adverse weather, with no fatalities but a significant impact on passengers. In 2017, a Boeing 737-800 departed Malta with an incorrect nose-heavy trim setting.
• In October 2023, TUI Airways Flight 3551, a Boeing 737-800, skidded off the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport in heavy rain, with no injuries reported, and the aircraft was later repaired.
• A notable concern in October 2023 was TUI's involvement in a scandal where a London-based company, AOG Technics, allegedly supplied parts with forged safety paperwork. TUI confirmed one of its aircraft had such components, which were promptly removed, and AOG Technics is no longer a preferred supplier. Further incidents include a Boeing 737-800 barely clearing a road during takeoff from Bristol in March 2024 and an engine failure on a Boeing 737-800 from Cardiff in September 2025.

Regulatory Certifications:

TUI Airways operates under a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Type A Operating Licence. Its operations, maintenance programs, and crew systems are reviewed and monitored by TM-CAD under EASA Part-CAMO and Part-OPS. The London Luton base of TUI Airways holds a US FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment: Category 1 rating. While not explicitly stated for TUI Airways itself, other airlines within the TUI Group, such as TUI fly Belgium, are IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, which is a global standard for safety audits.

Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:

As of November 2023, TUI Airways maintains a relatively young fleet. Its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners have an average age of just under eight years, while the 787-9s average five years old. The Boeing 737-800s average nearly 12 years, and the Boeing 737 MAX 8s are significantly newer, averaging just under four years. The airline is actively modernizing its fleet, with plans to replace older jets with more fuel-efficient Dreamliners and additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. TUI has emphasized that a full audit was conducted to ensure the safety and maintenance of all its aircraft, particularly in the wake of the forged parts issue, affirming that all questionable components have been removed.

Overall Safety Assessment:

Based on available data, TUI Airways (and its predecessors like Thomsonfly) maintains a generally strong safety record with no fatal accidents, despite a number of incidents over the years. These incidents often involved operational or mechanical issues that were successfully managed by the flight crews. The airline operates under strict regulatory oversight from the UK CAA and EASA standards, and it has taken proactive steps to address safety concerns, such as the audit related to forged aircraft parts. No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in the provided information.