SLM/TUI partnership aimed at attracting new group of tourists

The joint venture between Suriname’s national carrier, Suriname Airways (SLM) and TUI for the Mid Atlantic route is aimed at attracting a new group of tourists to Suriname. SLM’s CEO Robbi Lachmising on Wednesday pointed out that nobody should fear that the national carrier will be pushed aside by the arrival of a third player on the Mid Atlantic route. He explained that the SLM has had a joint venture agreement with Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) for many years and that the foreign airline has never succeeded in pushing the SLM aside. Just like KLM, TUI must also be regarded as an equal partner of the SLM. The focus of both organizations is to fly a new group of tourists from European countries such as the Netherlands to Suriname.

Arjan Kers, general manager at TUI, pointed out that Suriname has been on the company’s wish list for the past 8 years. He described Suriname as a beautiful and safe country which is suitable as a vacation destination for Europeans. The code shareagreement between the SLM and TUI must be given shape in April. Lachmising explained that in the start-up phase TUI will purchase seats from the SLM for its passengers on Wednesdays and Saturdays. TUI will assign its plane to the Mid-Atlantic route on Mondays in July. “The SLM will also carry out summer flights for TUI to the Mediterranean Sea,” said Kers. TUI (Touristik Union International) Group is a multinational travel and tourism company headquartered in Hannover, Germany. It is the largest leisure, travel and tourism company in the world. TUI reportedly owns six European airlines - the largest holiday fleet in Europe.