AIRTOURS group finance director Tim Byrne is expected to take over as group managing director before the end of the year.
At 40, Byrne is seen as the man to take the group into the new millennium and his appointment would be welcomed by the City, where he has earned a good reputation.
Current group MDHarry Coe would take more of a back-seat role to allow Byrne to run the group on a day-to-day basis.
But chairman David Crossland would only make the switch with the co-operation of Coe.
Crossland is renowned for being loyal to staff and Coe, who has spent 11 years at Airtours, is held in high regard for his work in helping to rapidly expand the group.
Any management changes will come after the group announces its full year results, due out on November 17.
Byrne refused to comment on any changes.