This year marks 60 years of partnership between the North East’s largest Airport and the UK’s largest tour operator TUI.
Offering flights and holidays to more than 30 destinations from Newcastle International this summer, TUI first began operating from the region in 1962 under the name Euravia, before rebranding to well-known Britannia Airways between 1964 and 2004, and then Thomson. Most recently, Thomson was rebranded to TUI in 2017.
To celebrate this significant milestone and long-standing relationship, Newcastle International Airport is calling on members of the public in the North East to share their favourite holiday memories and experiences with any of these airlines and tour operators over the past 60 years.
Newcastle International are specifically looking for any photographs and video footage taken by members of the public, including travel agents, airline and airport employees. Some of these memories will then be combined to create a memorial film looking back at the story of TUI in the region from 1962 to the present day.
Leon McQuaid, Director of Aviation Development said: “TUI is a valued long-standing airline partner of ours and we’re delighted to be celebrating 60 years at Newcastle International Airport.
“Despite the significant challenges the aviation industry has faced over the past two years, TUI has continued to invest in the region with more than 30 destinations on offer from Newcastle International Airport for 2022, including direct long-haul flights to Cancun and Melbourne Orlando on the Dreamliner.
“I am looking forward to people sending in their memories and experiences over the years, which is a great opportunity for the whole of the North East to join in these celebrations.”
Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning at TUI said: “We know that many of our customers in the North East haven’t been away for more than two years, so we’ve increased our flights to offer even more choice this year. We can’t wait to take them away again on a well-deserved break and to celebrate this significant milestone of 60 years.”
Members of the public who would like to submit their memories to the project are asked to email TUI60th@newcastleinternational.co.uk