CGT 9-11 feb27 24/2/09 17:12 Page 52
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Flight guide
Plugging the XL gap
It has now been over six
es
tur
months since the collapse
orld Pic
W
of XL Airways – but is
the void being filled?
By Dave Richardson
T
he collapse of XL Airways in
September looked set to cause a
major capacity shortage in the
eastern Mediterranean, especially
in Greece.
But no-frills airlines are increasing their
presence in the region, and modest increases
in charter flights by other airlines have
replaced some of the lost capacity.
XL’s planned flying programme for summer
2009 was to 15 Greek airports from Gatwick,
Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol, Newcastle
and Glasgow.
The programmes to Cyprus and Turkey
were much smaller but still included
Larnaca, Paphos, Bodrum and Dalaman
from Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol.
The XL Leisure Group collapse took down
the leading specialist to Greece, Kosmar, and
Freedom Flights, the trade-facing seat-only
brand.
Charters
Miss Ellie’s Travel, a Manchester based
retailer which sells flights through other
agents, has contracted its own flights for Avro recently added Santorini, from £289 return
the first time this summer.
Destinations include Crete, Paphos and Avro has added flights to the Greek port
Dalaman from Manchester and Gatwick, of Volos from Gatwick and Manchester,
operated as charters by bmibaby. priced from £250 return. Volos is the
Proprietor Ellie Doherty said: “XL had a gateway to the Pelion resort area on the Jet2 is adding flights to Dalaman and Rhodes
huge programme from Manchester, but mainland and has ferry connections to
most airlines are keeping their belts tight as some islands. eral reduction in flying by several operators.
this is not a good time to start new routes. Also new are Santorini and Skiathos from We are pleased to meet the demand from
“There is more bed availability than both Gatwick and Manchester, from £289 agents.”
flights, so a lot of opportunity this year. return. Tui UK would not reveal capacity figures,
These destinations are the cheaper end of The existing Monarch programme is to but flights will operate to 14 airports in
the market now Spain is so expensive, but Chania and Heraklion in Crete, Rhodes, Greece.
the market is still tight so there shouldn’t Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Kos and “Although capacity to Greece has been re-
be much late availability.” Preveza on the Greek mainland. duced for summer 2009, Greece remains the
The main charter airline to boost capacity is Avro managing director Michael Vinales top mid-haul destination for Thomson and
Monarch, with seat-only sister company Avro said: “The recent shortage of capacity is as a First Choice,” said a spokeswoman.
and package operator Cosmos taking seats. result of the demise of XL as well as a gen- Turn to 54
52 27.02.2009
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