Qantas and BA in merger talks

British Airways has issued a statement about a merger with troubled Australian airline Qantas.

The airline confirmed it is exploring a potential merger with Qantas “via a dual-listed company structure. The discussions between British Airways and Quantas are continuing,” said the statement.

“There is no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming and a further announcement will be made in due course, if appropriate.”

The announcement came after the Australian government indicated it might relax the rules on foreign ownership. Under current Australian law, Qantas must be at least 51% Australian-owned.

Furthermore, any individual foreign airline can only take up to a 25% stake and only 35% may be owned by foreign airlines.

But earlier this week Transport Minister Anthony Albanese proposed that that the rules should be changed so that 49% may be owned by a single foreign airline.

Montystar and Whaley Bridge Travel ceased trading

The latest round of badly run travel agencies are starting to close. The point is clear if you want to book cheap holidays and travel go direct, see this post Direct bookng cheaper option

ABTA announced on Friday that Montystar in Fowler Road, Ilford, and Worldchoice agent Whaley Bridge Travel in Market Street, Whaley Bridge, High Peak, Derbyshire, had ceased trading.

Other recent failures include Canvey Travel on Canvey Island, which ceased trading on October 30, and Flight Masters in Bolton,which ceased trading on November 3.

Customers needing extra assistance should contact CEGA, ABTA’s claims handling partner, on 01243 621500 or email ABTAClaims@cegagroup.com. Abta ceased trading link.

Futher ABTA failures are Leisure Estates International Ltd
Trading as White Mountains, America LIne, Blue Oceans, Chalet Connections, Chalet Line, Cruise Line, Digital Hoiday, Digital Holidays.com, Golf Line, Holiday Villas, International Club Holidays, Marco Polo Travel, Ski-holidays.com, Skiers Travel, Ski Line, Ski the Rockies, Snow Line, Villa Holidays.com, Villa Line, White Mountain Holidays, White Sands, White Sands Holidays ….

Plus Lingfield Travel Ltd with shops as Scorpio Travel Lingfield…

Pontins bookings rise but who would go there

The new management team behind Pontins has seen bookings for next summer rise by a claimed 20%. The big question is Pontins bookings may rise but who would go there…

However the guests arriving at Pontins will be in for a shock dirty rooms run down chalets all rotting wood and dirty carpets, which is why there are no pictures in the brochures. See this Pontins Brean Sands warning.

The rise comes on the back of an 11% increase year on year for the festive period, according to Ocean Parcs, the investment company that acquired Pontin’s in March for £46 million.

Chief executive Ian Smith said: “The new management team is targeting growth through maximising the untapped potential within the business.

“Our strategy is to ensure we deliver outstanding value for money and this has clearly contributed to the increase in bookings.

Pontin’s runs seven seaside sites – five self-catering at Hemsby, Norfolk (capacity 2,500); Brean Sands, Somerset (capacity 2,700); Camber Sands, Sussex (capacity 3,200); Prestatyn Sands, North Wales (capacity 3,500); Southport, Ainsdale Beach (capacity 3,000); and two half board at Blackpool (capacity 2,200) and Pakefield, Suffolk (capacity 1,400).

Chairman Graham Parr said: “Our strategy for this business is proving to be exactly on track.

“We have focused our efforts and strengths on the Pontin’s core business and the results speak for themselves.

“This coupled with more and more people relying on the traditional British holiday to give them the affordability to enjoy themselves in these difficult times.

Abta call for lowering of aviation tax

ABTA is asking Chancellor Alistair Darling not to increase taxes on aviation in Monday’s Budget report.

ABTA has written to the Chancellor calling on the government to lessen the financial impact on airlines and holidaymakers by not hiking aviation tax.

Air Passenger Duty currently raises over £2 billion a year, yet the details of a replacement Aviation Duty scheme have yet to emerge.

The travel busines and UK holiday makers are already struggling with the effects of the credit crunch and with high fuel prices any increase in aviation taxation could severely damage the travel industry, ABTA warned.

Recent attempts to introduce an aviation tax in Belgium were rejected following a consumer campaign; Sweden and Denmark have done the same, according to the association.

The Aviation industry has already addressed its environmental impact by joining the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme, which comes into force in 2012, as well as supporting carbon offsetting schemes.

Travel news today Said “The government must resist the temptation to increase the tax burden on holidaymakers.

“This will handicap the industry and jeopardise families’ chances of their much-needed break in the sun.