UPMARKET villa specialist Meon will accelerate its expansion plans following the acquisition by First Choice in July.
Under ownership of the Crawley operator, Meon will have access to seats on First Choice charter carrier Air 2000 and plans to exploit the opportunity by increasing the pace of its growth.
Launching Meon’s 2000 villa brochure, group marketing director Susan Williamssaid it will ease the pressure on finding additional charter capacity.
“It is becoming tough for niche operators to find capacity on charter airlines.
“That and distribution are the two major issues facing independents.
“The deal with First Choice gives us a long-term growth opportunity and while expansion was part of our strategic plan we can now move more quickly.”
The acquisition will also allow Meon to increase its regional flying, said Williams.
In its 2000 programme Meon is again targeting the top end of the market with 86% of the operator’s 105 new villas either four or five star or deluxe.
“Customers are continuing to trade up. There is confidence in the market,” said Williams.
“People are also booking earlier than ever. They are returning from their holiday and reserving the same villa for the following year.”
She claimed sales were 15% up on 1998 with similar growth planned for 2000.
The extra capacity has largely been channelled into the two major villa destinations of the Algarve and Minorca, while airline seat allocations have been increased from Birmingham and Manchester.
Prices start at £285 per person for one week on the Costa Blanca including car hire.