BERLIN (Reuters) - Europe's largest tour operator TUI narrowed its operating loss in the second quarter as its typically weak winter season in the Northern Hemisphere ended better than expected.

The loss in the January-March period came in at 189 million euros ($204.52 million), 54 million euros less than in the comparable period last year.

Analysts polled by LSEG expected a loss of 246 million euros.

Travel firms are hopeful that 2024's summer season will surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite economic uncertainty, delays in plane deliveries from manufacturers and rising jet fuel prices.

Germany-based TUI, which operates holidays, hotels, cruises and an airline, also confirmed its 2024 guidance of 10% revenue growth and an increase in operating profit of 25%.

($1 = 0.9241 euros)

(Reporting by Andrey Sychev and Ilona Wissenbach, Editing by Rachel More)