n NCL new board
Norwegian Cruise Line has a new board of directors in place following its acquisition by Star Cruises and Carnival Corporation. The team is headed by new president and chief executive officer Colin Veitch, a former Princess Cruises executive. Star and Carnival were originally rivals to buy NCL, but last week they announced a joint bid under which they will take 60% and 40% stakes in the company. The joint venture partners were understood to hold 70% of NCL’s shares as Travel Weekly went to press.
n luton airport anger
LutonAirport has reacted with anger to EasyJet’s claims that the airport is using a monopoly position to increase charges to airlines. EasyJet is concerned its prices are rising to pay for what it sees as an unnecessary new terminal. The airport has retorted that EasyJet is trying to bully it into keeping charges low for the carrier at the expense of other Luton-based airlines. EasyJet is to write to the Civil Aviation Authority asking for Luton’s charges to be regulated like other London airports. The CAA said it would investigate any complaint and would act if there was a case.
n agency failure
Two-brand agency West Wales Travel has ceased trading. It had shops in Tywyn and Dolgellau.
n swinard goes solo
Former managing director of Ashford-based Swinards Travel Group Gary Swinard has joined technology firm Solo Communications as sales and marketing manager. He left four-branch Swinards following the sale of the group to Brockmans Travel last November.