TUI announces new flight route from UK airport to Caribbean holiday destination

Holidaymakers can book 14-night stays across multiple Dominican resorts, including La Romana, Bayahibe, San Pedro de Macoris, Punta Cana, Bavaro, Cap Cana, Miches and Uvero Alto.

The flights will operate for four weeks, offering travellers expanded options for Caribbean getaways.

Craig Morgan, head of Ireland for TUI, said: "We are delighted to offer our customers in Northern Ireland the opportunity to experience the Dominican Republic with our new direct flights from Belfast next summer.

"This is the only direct flight available from Belfast to the Dominican Republic and it will open up an exciting range of hotels and unique holiday experiences for Northern Irelands holidaymakers to enjoy."

He explained the announcement demonstrated TUI's ongoing commitment to give local holidaymakers choices of holiday destinations from Belfast.

He added: "This new route to the Dominican Republic complements our existing long-haul flights from Belfast to Florida and Mexico, as well as a fantastic choice of European destinations for summer 2026 including the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Greece."

Belfast International Airport CEO, Dan Owens welcomed the new service from TUI.

He said: "The Dominican Republic is a must-see destination for any traveller, and we are thrilled that TUI is introducing this new direct route to Punta Cana International Airport.

"This route is a welcome addition to the TUI network and part of our commitment to develop direct routes for travellers direct from their local airport."

The airline has also recently announced it is scrapping flights routes to the US, Costa Rica and Saint Lucia.

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The company confirmed it will stop flying to Costa Rica from the end of April while the Saint Lucia route ceases operations at the end of May.

TUI has been operating a winter-only programme in Costa Rica since the post-pandemic period.

A TUI spokesperson told GB News that holidays to St Lucia and Costa Rica will still operate through third-party flying, rather than with TUI Airways.

The Birmingham to Melbourne Orlando International Airport route will be affected. Birmingham flights will be absorbed into the London Gatwick and Manchester flights to Orlando.