‘Scimitar’ wing tips specified by TUI

Tour operator TUI Travel is to fit the new split-scimitar wing-tip to its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, making it the first company in Europe to use them. The wing-tip, which incorporates a new cap and is used in conjunction with a ‘ventral strake’, is said by Boeing to be an improvement on its standard blended winglet.

United Airlines has already agreed to take the new wing-tips for its 737s. TUI says the first modified aircraft will fly from January 2014. It has not indicated which of its airlines will have the first scimitar-equipped 737-800, but the aircraft is used by several of its carriers including Thomson Airways, TUIfly and Arkefly.

TUI said: “Ordering these new winglets ahead of other airlines is part of our goal to continue operating Europe’s most fuel-efficient airlines. The scimitar wing-tips will provide a 2% fuel saving on top of that achieved by the regular blended winglets.”