Goodwood Travel eyes luxury business to boost lost sales

Concorde grounding prompts operator to raise revenue through alternative channels

Goodwood Travel eyes luxury business to boost lost sales

Report by LOUISELONGMAN

GOODWOOD Travel is planning to boost Orient Express holidays and cruises on the QE2 to recover lost business from the suspension of Concorde flights.

The Flights of Fantasy operator takes 70% of its business through Concorde flights but aims to expand alternative luxury travel from 30% to 50% if Concorde remains grounded.

Goodwood Travel director Colin Mitchell said: “Our customers have been refunded and offered alternative arrangements. We do have a very good relationship with British Airways and it has given us more help and financial support than we could have hoped for.”

Prior to the grounding of BA’s seven-strong Concorde fleet last week, three flights operated by Goodwood were cancelled but 15 flights from next month until the end of the year were given the go-ahead.

Mitchell also confirmed that bookings for Concorde were up on last year but expected them to fall after BA’s announcement.

“There will be a drop in bookings but we can match the loss with an alternative programme until Concorde is reinstated,” said Mitchell.

A BA spokeswoman said the airline’s general manager for leisure Robin Hayes has been informing charter travel agents about the suspension of flights “for the forseeable future”.

“Robin Hayes is discussing compensation with each charter agent on a case-by-case basis,” she said. “It’s still early days but we are working with the French and British authorities on the next stage to ensure the aircraft is up and running.”

Goodwood Travel: has made other arrangements for all customers while Concorde remains grounded