TUI Airline plans to further develop its cargo business with specialist provider TCE by marketing unused freight capacity on passenger aircraft across its leisure network. The cooperation, which has been in place since January 2019, is intended to generate additional revenue from existing flights while allowing TUI to expand its air-cargo activities without establishing a fully integrated in-house cargo organisation.
TCE manages commercial development, customer relationships, capacity marketing and booking coordination for the airline’s cargo activities. Its operational remit includes shipment coordination, support for handling partners, quality assurance, audits and compliance with applicable air-cargo security requirements. Where required, the company also supports ACC3 validation for shipments entering the European Union.
The provider acts as a central contact for freight forwarders, customers and handling companies, linking sales and marketing with capacity management and operational execution. TCE Managing Director Sarah Scheibe said the company combines commercial relationships, operational coordination and regulatory support to make TUI Airline’s aircraft capacity accessible to freight customers.
The partners will assess the business as it develops, using cargo volumes, revenue, capacity utilisation and service performance to identify further opportunities. No targets, investment commitments, new routes or timetable changes have been disclosed.