Midlands’ holidaymakers can swap grey skies for golden sands this winter as TUI launches its first-ever direct flights from Birmingham to Banjul, The Gambia – opening up one of the UK’s best-value winter sunspots.
Taking off from 2 November 2026, the new weekly Monday service will fly customers straight to Banjul in around six hours, making it a seriously tempting alternative to long-haul destinations like the Caribbean or Thailand. Prices for a package holiday start from £800 per person and include flights, accommodation, transfers, luggage and all the all-inclusive food and drink you can handle.
Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK, said: “We know Brits are looking for winter sun that delivers great value without the long flight times, and destinations like The Gambia are seeing real growth as a result.
“You can be on the beach in just over six hours, enjoy guaranteed sunshine, and with a TUI package holiday everything’s included from flights, accommodation, transfers, luggage, food and drink making it an easy, great-value alternative to traditional long-haul hotspots.” With temperatures hitting around 30°C between November and April, The Gambia is a go-to for guaranteed winter sun.
Think wide golden beaches, warm seas and sunshine pretty much every day. Known as the “Smiling Coast of Africa”, it’s also famous for its friendly locals, laid-back vibe and buzzing beachside scene, with bars, restaurants and live music lining hotspots like the Senegambia Strip.
Matt Hazelwood, Chief Commercial Officer at Birmingham Airport said: “We are delighted to welcome The Gambia back to our list of direct destinations with TUI.
“This popular winter sun getaway is easily accessible from Birmingham Airport, offering beautiful sandy beaches, stunning scenery, and nature reserves rich in Gambian wildlife, all just a six-hour flight from BHX.” TUI is one of the world's leading tourism and leisure groups, delivering trusted holiday experiences to millions of customers every year through the UK's favourite holiday brands including TUI UK& Ireland, First Choice, Marella Cruises, and Crystal Ski Holidays.
Backed by a team of over 11,000 professionals and a network of over 300 retail stores and independent travel agent partners, customers benefit from expert advice throughout their holiday experience. TUI Airways, part of TUI Airline, operates to over 77 destinations in 31 countries including Turkey, Greece, Thailand and Egypt with 70 aircraft from 22 UK and Ireland airports, whilst partnering with over 50 leading airlines giving customers unmatched flexibility to find their perfect holiday whether it be Warsaw, New York or the Maldives.
Their award-winning service is recognised by Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended and trusted by customers with a 4.6 star Trustpilot rating. They were also awarded Best Travel Company for Accessible Holidays 2025 by Good Housekeeping and won various awards at consumer voted British Travel Awards 2026.
Part of the Markets + Airlines business division within TUI Group, TUI UK & Ireland operates a comprehensive portfolio including TUI River Cruises, TUI Cities, TUI Lakes & Mountains, TUI Tours, and premium accommodation brands TUI Blue, Holiday Villages, and Magic Life.