ttglive.com
Tour ops fear Viking’s exit
Chris Gray and Sophie Griffiths.
TOUR OPERATORS fear domination of the market by the “big two” after Viking Airlines AB’s suspension of operations for the season. TTGrevealed on Friday that the Swedish airline
had “temporarily ceased operations” and that job losses were inevitable. Viking said in a statement: “As part of a plan to downsize for the winter season, three leased Boeing 737-800s and a single 737-300 have been returned to their respective lessors.” It added that it was planning to “reorganise and
restructure” in the next three months “so as to be in a position to add new aircraft for summer 2011.” Noel Josephides, Sunvil Holidays’ managing
director, said: “We need an independent charter airline in this market – it would be bad for business and the industry if Viking disappeared. “Without an independent the whole business would be in the hands of two integrated operators. “We need an independent in order to fly at
capacity and so we do not have to play second fiddle to the in-house tour operators.” Ionian Island Holidays managing director Dimitri Patrikios agreed: “It is good to have another airline in the market so we are not held to ransom. If smaller charter companies fade away, it means more of a Tui/Thomas Cook duopoly.” Viking’s move followed days of speculation about its future. It had already approached several agencies and tour operators about making investments, as revealed inTTGlast week. In August the airline said it was reducing the
size of its fleet by three and cutting jobs, but insisted it was financially healthy and that UK operations would continue as normal. All Viking’s contracted flying programmes for
the remainder of this season will be covered by its Greek associates Viking Hellas Airlines. Meanwhile Gatwick detained a Viking aircraft on Monday because of “an unpaid long-standing debt”, but released it that evening after payment.
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news
Kuoni deal widens customer choice
KUONI HAS signed a deal for its travel agencies to join the Advantage Managed Services scheme. The contract will allow Kuoni to offer a wider
range of products from other travel suppliers, while Advantage will take over administrative functions at Kuoni UK agencies. Five of Kuoni’s 12 shops will join AMS by the end
of the year. The remaining seven, plus eight new locations planned for 2011, will join next year. Derek Jones, Kuoni’s vice-president of distri- bution and operations, said: “Our retail estate is growing quickly. We need to ensure we deliver a tailored range of luxury holidays, so we are not planning to sell everything but will handpick a few key suppliers in the premium sector.” Advantage Travel Centres chief executive John McEwan added: “The AMS scheme manages the retail administrative function so travel agents can concentrate on what they do best – selling holidays.”
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