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Potential of transatlantic flight to be offered out of MLB airport

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In 2022, TUI airplanes will land in MLB. Photo by TUI UK.

by: Ethan Qualle 

This story was updated on Dec. 4, 2019 at 7:10 p.m.

TUI U.K., an English leisure airline, announced a potential commencement of service to Orlando Melbourne International Airport by 2022.

TUI, based in Luton, England focuses mainly on vacation travel for its customers located in the United Kingdom. The British-based airline company primarily operates seasonal vacation routes from its 16 bases, which include cities such as Aberdeen, London and Belfast. 

TUI Group stated on Twitter, “At TUI, we’re committed to offering our customers an outstanding airline and holiday experience and we are delighted to be working with Orlando Melbourne Airport on their exciting expansion plans. Our new Orlando gateway will be perfectly situated to offer TUI U.K. customers total flexibility in designing their holiday around any combination of theme parks, beaches or cruising.”

According to Rob Himler, manager of Marketing and Communications for MLB, such developments are still underway and which routes TUI will offer out of MLB are unknown at this time.

“It normally takes me three to four legs to travel home from school,” said Yohann Emmert, a senior in business administration from Geneva, Switzerland. Emmert typically has endured multiple layovers in London, New York, Charlotte and Atlanta. Some of Emmert’s other European classmates have had to take stops in Iceland, which is more indirect. 

Himler also stated that it is unsure if U.S. residents will be able to book flights from Florida to the U.K. MLB plans on announcing more details for passengers late next year. 

With the new U.S. Customs Federal Inspection Station that can currently process more than 400 passengers an hour, facilities at MLB are capable of housing the larger aircrafts of TUI’s long-haul fleet, variants of the Boeing 787.

 “The airport plans to invest even more in the airport’s terminal to increase its capacity for future operations,” Himler said.

MLB currently sees only domestic travel to major hubs in the United States such as Charlotte, North Carolina on American Airlines and Atlanta, Georgia on Delta Airlines. Porter Airlines—a full-service Canadian airline—was the only airline that previously had international operations directly out of MLB, but they have since discontinued their services. 

Drone club kicks off the new semester

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Florida Tech’s resident drone club soared into the public eye as it hosted its first meeting of the fall semester on Friday, Sept. 27.

The Florida Tech Drone Club was founded to “bring awareness, provide experience and to be able to get the tools that we need to have to use drones to their full efficacy,” according to Nathaniel Bouchie, junior aerospace major and vice president of the drone club.

The club meets roughly once or twice a month and performs most of its other activities outside of its official meeting time.

These activities include drone building, racing and photography, but can span beyond those three categories for others interested in the club.

Furthermore, there are several opportunities for students who are interested in flying drones that are offered by the club as a whole and by its members.

The club has simulators that new flyers can practice on before piloting a physical drone.

They also have drones owned by the club’s members and by the university that can be used for events undertaken by the club, which include drones that use first-person view.

The club has taken steps to get involved in Florida Tech’s other clubs as well as in the community.

Robert Tonning, a junior in mechanical engineering and the current president of the drone club, said he enjoys flying because there are so many things that can be done with drones.

“I love the photography aspect with the Mavericks,” Tonning said. “You can race them, you can take pictures, you can map—there’s so many applications, so it’s a really good side hobby to have.”

The drone club had the opportunity to map out the animal sanctuary in Cocoa Beach last year and has considered going back, as it’s a good outreach opportunity for the club and its members.

The club also films some of the university’s athletics using drones, which included a soccer game last year.

The club wants to work with FITV as well to film an overview campus tour using their drones.

For those interested in drone racing, the student-led organization is looking to work with Eau Gallie High School to gain access to their hangar and to form a local drone racing league.

The club also encourages freestyle flying, using both line-of-sight piloting and FPV.

Eddie Torres, an experienced drone pilot from Homestead, Florida, described FPV freestyle flying as something incredible.

“It’s amazing,” Torres said. “The first-person view experience is something that everyone should try because you get the sensation of flying. You have the freedom of flight, being able to put yourself in places that you can’t [without a drone].”

The drone club is currently looking for new members.

Those interested in joining can find their meetings in Skurla, room 106 on Thursdays or on Florida Tech Engage.