p36-37 Letters mar13 10/3/09 20:40 Page 37
ttglive.com
letters
Last week’s news that former bosses from the failed XL Leisure Viking is getting better, and
Group were involved in running a new programme to Greece
Goldtrail offers great value
attracted a flood of comments on TTG’s website. Here we
I think some people should spend a summer
working at an airport, then I think you would
round up the best viewpoints. Full comments at ttglive.com
understand the problems that arise. The Viking
incidents are no different from any other
Should these bosses be limitations and prevailing weather conditions. airline. Anyone remember the summer when
working in travel again? Viking acknowledges this type of event is Airtours/MyTravel had major delays? You may
It beggars belief that after the major problems distressing for passengers. However, the safe not but I certainly do as I had to deal with them.
with XL Leisure Group, its former directors are operation of our aircraft is our priority. I’m glad that Kiss Flights and Viking are
already back working in the industry again. In the last few months, Viking Airlines has here and, so far, have been popular with the
Goldtrail is noted for its poor service and undertaken a fleet renewal and expansion programe that we sell. For those of you who say
poor accommodation. Using Viking Airlines puts programme as well as an interior refurbishment you wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole, you
me off the new venture from the start, as it has programme on our existing aircraft in prepara- may as well pack up shop now and go home.
the worst reputation in the industry. tion for our summer 2009 charter operations. There are numerous tour operators using them.
Another demise, like that of XL, could quite Viking Airlines now operates modern, Boeing Viking have been going for some time now
easily happen again, leading to lots of unhappy 737-800s – among the youngest operating from and are expanding with new aircraft. Every
clients. As an independent agent, I wouldn’t the UK – equipped with leather seating and carrier has to start somewhere.
book a holiday with them. inflight entertainment. We’ve also recruited It’s true that Goldtrail’s customer service can
experienced and customer-focused crew. be poor at times and some of its accommoda-
Nora James, manager, Travel Shop A repeat of the unusual type of event cited tion is of a low standard. However, thousands of
by others is unlikely to recur. people use them every year and our company
Surely if your company has failed, also sells a lot of Goldtrail during the summer.
then you shouldn’t be permitted to Peter Evans, director, Viking Airlines People may moan about Goldtrail, but look
set up in travel again? at some of their pricing; they do offer value for
Demand for Goldtrail money. With some all-inclusive prices for £10
Patricia Fearns, homeworker, Hays Travel is driven by price per day, you cannot expect five-star treatment.
Kosmar as a product was in demand by quite
My advice: carry spare a large following of customers, disregarding Mark Littlejohns
clothes in your hand luggage whether or not it was a profitable company. sales supervisor, Complete Travel Solutions
I had clients on Viking Flights last year who Undoubtedley, some elements of the original
were told their luggage could not fly because of Kosmar programme remain, as there was a gap ■ TTG would welcome a response from
weight and balance problems. in the market that had not been filled. Goldtrail Holidays
I was disgusted. People save hard all year for We are also Goldtrail’s biggest customer at
a holiday and to be told this was not right. All I present. Demand for this product is driven by
What do you think?
can say is, take clothes in your hand luggage. price as opposed to quality, as evidenced by the
higher than normal customer complaint levels. The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
Amanda Sterling, clerk, Hamilton Travel For now we are persevering in trying to We need your name, job title and company
improve that position, although it is uncomfort- address. These will be withheld on request.
Incidents showed Viking able for us and our own brand positioning. Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
Airlines put safety first Whether it changes or not remains to be seen. to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
Viking Airlines is disappointed to note the What we are certain about is that we will not maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
reference by two commentators to unfortunate support any new tour operation that has an Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
incidents last year at Newcastle when Viking, intention to use any of the airlines mentioned. Fax: 020 7921 8033
operating an aircraft sub-leased from another Blog: Or why not have your say online?
carrier, was unable to accommodate some Mike Greenacre, managing director, Write a blog at yourspace-ttglive.com
baggage due to aircraft performance The Co-operative Travel Group
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