TUI Group is planning to put its five airlines in Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom under a single management team according to Handelsblatt.

TUI says the goal is to “take the complexity out of the system”, creating an airline and travel group that can “hold its own in competition”.

However each AOC and brand will be retained in their respective countries.

In other news, the TUI Group has successfully completed the sale of its minority stake in a property portfolio to the Riu family. The portfolio which was previously held jointly between TUI and RIU consists of 21 properties, comprising 19 existing buildings and two in development. The divestment only includes the ownership of these properties. The operation and marketing of these hotels will continue to be carried out by the 50:50 joint venture between TUI and RIU. As a result, TUI ties up less capital in property ownership and concentrates on its core business, the operation and marketing of hotels.

TUI had agreed and announced the sale in May 2021. The total portfolio was valued at 1.5 billion euros. For its 49 percent minority stake, TUI has received an initial purchase price payment of 541 million euros today and can receive an additional earn-out of around 130 million euros until 2023.

The transaction has been closed in a continued difficult market environment and generated a significant book gain of around 200 million euros. As announced previously, the proceeds will be used to reduce the Group’s Corona debt.