The boss of Thomas Cook has called for ‘common sense’ to prevail in Brexit negotiations and ensure air traffic agreements remain in place.
Chief executive Peter Fankhauser was speaking after the group posted its third quarter financial results which have seen revenue grow by 14%.
“On the subject of the competitive environment, a comment on Brexit,” he said. “A lot has been said in recent weeks and there’s clearly a long way to go.
“But let me just make one plea: a plea for common sense, that politicians both sides of the Channel agree now to extend the existing agreements for air traffic rights beyond 2019 – for as long as it takes to come to a long-term settlement. That has to be in everyone’s best interests.”
Commenting on the Foreign Office’s decision to lift its travel ban to most of Tunisia, Fankhauser said Cook would ‘takes its time’ in deciding when it would begin selling the destination again.
“It’s definitely good news for Tunisia and the hotels and the employees who are working in the industry,” he said. “We didn’t expect the decision from the government yesterday.
“We didn’t have a programme for winter so now we need to set up a really good quality offer and this is going to take some time.”
Fankhauser said Greece was still the “stand out” destination for the business, with demand for the destination up 22% compared to last year, while Turkey was “picking up” in the lates market.
Commenting on the rise in fake holiday sickness claims, Fankhauser said: “We are informing customers (about the issue). It’s a really tiny minority which gives us a problem. Our priority is giving our customers the best holidays and informing them about the consequences (if they make a fake claim).
“It doesn’t feel comfortable challenging customers but we have to send a clear message that it is a crime.”