JETSET
Flights senior management has tabled a bid to buy the scheduled seat-only
operation from MyTravel.
If
successful, the move would save it from closure and protect the jobs of 75
staff.
Managing
director David Partington and commercial director John Bond have insisted they
can turn round the business which has been losing sales for three years.
Bond
confirmed a rescue package had been drawn up and believed there was a “strong
possibility” a deal would be struck with MyTravel.
“It is one
of four options for MyTravel,” said Bond, who sold Jetset to MyTravel in 1999.
“It is a
serious proposition and not just an ego trip.”
He said a
decision was due next week but declined to reveal the value of the offer.
MyTravel
is considering closing the operation after a 30% fall in sales, an increase in
on-line bookings and the decision to phase out technology used by Jetset
(Travel Weekly July 28).
However,
Bond said it was close to securing a deal with a new web-enabled technology
supplier that would be more economical and compatible with Going Places’ new
TravelCat system, but not the tailor-made brands in MyTravel’s Flextravel
division.
Flextravel
managing director Matt Cheetham said: “The plc has been approached by John Bond
and David Partington and it is one of the things to be considered.”