DLR research aircraft accompanies TUI fly flights to investigate climate-impacting contrails
Research support in the air: Research aircraft is currently following several regular TUI fly flights.
Partner in science: TUI fly provides flights and operational data for climate research.
Focus on climate impact: Measurements investigate how modern, particularly low-soot engines influence contrails.
Footage and Pictures on demand
Scientists estimate that condensation trails are responsible for as much as 1 to 2% of global warming. The measurements now being carried out as part of the A4Climate project are intended to show how much new engine technologies can reduce this effect.
“As a partner to science, we are providing our flights and our operational expertise. We want to help ensure that research results are quickly incorporated into everyday aviation practice – in order to reduce the climate impact of our flights,” says Christoph Todt, Head of Environmental Sustainability at TUI Airline.
The flights are part of the newly launched EU research project A4CLIMATE, in which 17 partners from nine countries are collaborating. The project is developing practical solutions to reduce the climate impact of contrails – including new engine technologies, alternative fuels and climate-optimised flight routing. Leading partners include the DLR, the German Weather Service, the Max Planck Society, ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, Eurocontrol, Flightkeys, Breakthrough Energy and TUI fly.
Since the beginning of 2025, TUI fly has routed several hundred flights specifically to avoid long-lasting contrails. In doing so, it provides researchers with real operating data for the further development of scientific models and tools.
About TUI Group
The TUI Group is a leading global tourism group. The group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed on the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. The TUI Group offers its more than 34.7 million customers integrated services from a single source and covers the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns more than 460 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue, and Robinson, as well as 18 cruise ships, ranging from the luxury class MS Europa and MS Europa 2 and the HANSEATIC class expedition ships to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships at Marella Cruises in the UK. The group also includes leading European tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft, and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises through successful joint ventures and activities in holiday destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.
Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental, and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. The TUI Care Foundation, initiated by TUI, focuses on the positive effects of tourism, education and training, and the strengthening of environmental and social standards with projects in 25 countries. In this way, it supports the development of holiday destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.