TUI Travel group is to overhaul its airline operation with a rebranding and trimming of the merged fleet.
The enlarged company’s deputy chief executive Peter Rothwell revealed the group’s 156-aircraft fleet would be
rebranded under one name.
He refused to reveal the brand the new airline would adopt, but it is expected First Choice Airways will be ditched. TUI AG is currently rebranding all its non-UK fleets to TUI Fly. No decision has been made on the future of the Thomsonfly– name.
“The First Choice brand will be preserved on the high street but we will paint the aircraft the same colour,” he said.
Plymouth-based Peter Goord Travel owner Anthony Goord feared the merger could have an impact on agents in the West Country, where both Thomson and First Choice have a strong presence.
He said: “Cutting back on flights is okay so long as they don’t cut routes.”