TUI Ireland has announced new direct flights from Belfast International Airport to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, launching in summer 2026.
The service, which will be Belfast’s only direct route to the Caribbean nation, will begin operations from June 20, 2026.
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.
The Dominican Republic is a popular destination with tourists
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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.”
The new route will begin in June 2026
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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.
