Fly4 Airlines enters provisional liquidation, raising questions over TUI’s UK holiday operations

Fly4 Airlines, the Dublin-based ACMI and charter operator jointly owned by TUI and Polish airline Enter Air, has entered provisional liquidation following an application to the Irish High Court.

The court appointed joint provisional liquidators from restructuring firm Interpath after the airline’s directors raised concerns about its financial position and the potential risks surrounding its aircraft and other assets.

The development is particularly relevant to the UK market, with Fly4 having operated flights on behalf of TUI from regional airports including Norwich and Belfast International.

Fly4 launched its Summer 2026 ACMI programme with TUI in May, with its first service operating from Norwich to Corfu. The airline also began operating TUI flights from Belfast International to destinations including Reus and Corfu.

The company was established in 2023 as a joint venture between TUI and Enter Air, providing aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance services to airlines and tour operators. Its role has been to provide additional capacity during busy periods and help cover operational requirements.

Court proceedings heard that Fly4 operates four Boeing 737-800 aircraft, all subject to lease arrangements, with the aircraft currently located in Turkey, Germany and Belgium. The airline’s directors raised concerns that an insolvency event could trigger aircraft repossession rights and significant financial liabilities.

Financial evidence presented to the court highlighted the scale of the difficulties. Fly4 recorded losses of approximately €16 million in 2024, followed by a further loss of around €4 million in 2025. Although the company had initially forecast a profit for 2026, it recorded a loss of €1.1 million during the first nine months of the year.

The court heard that increased fuel costs associated with the US/Iran conflict had contributed to the weaker-than-expected performance. The airline also faces significant future aircraft maintenance costs, with an estimated net exposure of around €4 million over the next six months.

The company had approximately €2.7 million in cash, while its underlying monthly cash costs were estimated at between €2.5 million and €3 million.

The proceedings also highlighted the company’s UK workforce, with eight UK-based employees among those affected, alongside 12 employees in Ireland.

For TUI, the situation raises questions about the future availability of aircraft capacity previously supplied by Fly4. However, it is important to distinguish between the two businesses: Fly4 is a separate operating company, and the appointment of provisional liquidators does not in itself mean that TUI Airways has entered financial difficulty or that TUI’s wider flight programme has been cancelled.

The immediate focus will be on the company’s aircraft, its outstanding obligations and the next steps in the court process. The matter is expected to return to the Irish High Court later this month.

Aviation News UK will continue to follow developments and any confirmed implications for UK airline operations.