OPERATORS said heightened security and the impending
threat of a war after March will be disastrous for tourism to the UK.
The big four have admitted outbound trade had slowed
further in a market 16% down since Christmas and said more “substantial”
capacity cuts could be made.
They are hoping for a quick conflict, while war in
April, May or June is “not ideal”.
MyTravel managing director UK distribution and charter
tour operations Steve Endacott said: “Tanks at airports are not a good visual.
We’re looking at every way to increase yields.”
It is predicted the industry
could cut capacity by 15% if war breaks out. MyTravel is understood to be
cutting capacity by 15% – 470,000 seats.