Bluebird moves into scheduled market with launch of CWT

Bluebird moves into scheduled market with launch of CWT

Consolidated world travel by Linsey McNeill

BLUEBIRD Holidays has moved into scheduled seat wholesaling with the launch of London-based Consolidated World Travel, which has deals with over 20 scheduled airlines.

CWT began trading on October 8 following the demise of consolidator Hamilton Travel.

Bluebird took on 10 of Hamilton’s reservations staff, many of whom were supervisors or account managers, to launch the new division.

Leading it is general manager Channa Madanayake, who was previously contracts manager for Hamilton but left four years ago to join Inghams’ city-breaks department.

Bluebird managing director Stephen Powell said: “If we’d had to create a consolidator from nothing I would not have done it but we have been able to employ a complete team of people who brought their own clients with them.”

He is hoping that by employing former Hamilton staff, CWT will win instant loyalty with travel agents who used to buy seats from the consolidator, which ceased trading in August.

“At the end of the day, all consolidators are offering the same flights at the same price and the relationship between the reservations staff and the agent is the most important factor,” said Powell.

“Our main investment in setting up CWT has been in a team of people who have a good relationship with the trade.”

He added CWT had managed to retain “a lot” of Hamilton’s former clients who were booking a significant number of flights through the new consolidator.

Firm base: Bluebird Holidays is established in selling North America and Australia