Reduced capacity from Scotland resulting from the demise of Flyglobespan is “no bad thing”, according to Barrhead Travel founder Bill Munro.
Speaking after the collapse of Globespan Group, which incorporated airline Flyglobespan and tour operator Globepsan, Munro said he expected other airlines to fill part of the gap left by the company.
“I think about 60% has been replaced and by mid January more people may see opportunities. But if the capacity doesn’t all come back if might not be such a bad idea.
“Some 55% of the Scottish population is employed by the government and massive cutbacks are expected next year. The 100,000 people booked to travel with Flyglobespan could be out of pocket for a year, so they may not be able book again.”
There are likely to be more failures in the first three months of 2010, he predicted.
“The first three months of next year will see more collapses when companies run out of money. Next year could be even more difficult because of unemployment, so those businesses hanging on by the skin of their teeth might not make it,” he said.
Munro said he would support ABTA in its campaign for fairer financial protection regulations. “I’ve spoken to many educated people who don’t understand what is and isn’t protected. It is a nonsense that the government has not taken a stronger stance and brought in all the airlines to the ATOL scheme.”