| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 80 |
| Copyright: Other |
Independent hits out at multiple over room on aircraft
Sailing Holidays accuses JMC over seat allocation
Report by PAUL NORRIS
INDEPENDENT operator Sailing Holidays is locked in a battle for aircraft seats with rival operator JMC.Sailing Holidays director Barrie Neilson claims Thomas Cook-owned JMC has refused him seats on flights from Manchester for next summer in revenge for his company winning a dispute over use of the name Neilson.
The dispute arose after JMC started marketing its Sunworld Sailing brand under the name Neilson Sailing Holidays in July last year.
Neilson complained that the move would confuse customers as they would associate the rebranded JMC company with his operation. Both sailing operators offer holidays in the Greek islands.
Mr Neilson said: “JMC has told us we can’t have seats for next year despite us having them for many years.
“I can only think they are trying to get their own back on us.”
Thomas Cook took Mr Neilson’s company to court in March to stop him from using his name in conjunction with the Sailing Holidays brand.
Following the High Court case, JMC has agreed not to use the name Neilson Sailing Holidays any longer and now only refers to the operation as being part of the Neilson group.
Mr Neilson claims that as Thomas Cook lost the case – it paid Sailing Holidays’ £15,000 costs – he can use his surname in future branding.
Thomas Cook chief operating officer Simon Vincent said: “I am disappointed Mr Neilson has decided to air his views in the media before allowing us the chance to discuss this matter with him.”
JMC would not confirm whether it had told Sailing Holidays there was no seat availability for next summer.
However, the operator has made it clear third-party business is being scaled back in favour of in-house operations.