SAMPEUR QUITS AVIS
Avis UK managing director Georges Sampeur is leaving to join Carlson Wagonlit in Paris, according to industry sources. Avis refused to comment.
KLM IN SALES MOVE
KLM is moving its sales force from Heathrow to merge offices with its KLM UK subsidiary at Stansted. The July switch affects 63 sales staff, including business unit managers, sales representatives and sales support staff.
EASYJET EYES CAR HIRE
EasyJet is to roll out anon-line car hire booking service on its Internet site this summer. A spokesman said the airline, through its EasyEverything brand, was talking to car manufacturers about taking delivery of thousands of vehicles.
AITO PLANS LOYALTY BID
The Association of Independent Tour Operators is considering launching a loyalty scheme for its members.
LISBON TOPS ABTA POLL
Lisbon has emerged as the front runner to host the ABTA 2000 conference. ABTA president Steven Freudmann stressed Kos was still an option.
VIRGIN HOPES DASHED
Virgin Atlantic’s hopes of launching daily Heathrow-Chicago flights this summer have been dashed by the US Department of Transportation (Travel Weekly April 19). Officials have rejected Virgin’s application for an August 11 start after turning down a request to launch flights early.
RETAIL APPOINTMENT
First Choice marketing communications manager Virginia Dick has been appointed marketing director for the operator’s retail arm Travel Choice.