Rendezvous shocked
Rendezvous Holidays lost over half a day’s trading last week when it was hit by an electricity failure in the Kings Cross area, London. The tour operator is seeking compensation from London Electricity after a power failure left the it without lighting and telephones from 11am on Tuesday until the following morning. Head of sales and marketing Mike Lee said it could explain industry speculation that the company is in difficulties. He said the company was trading as normal.
Suncoast to account
The receivers have been called in by collapsed US firm Suncoast and will this week start trawling through the books of subsidiaries TicketShop USA and HotelShop USA. The UK businesses were brought down by Suncoast a fortnight ago even though both were trading profitably. US receivers Michael Mocca and Associates were to appoint UK receivers this week.
Oneworld latest
Oneworld carriers will move towards offering joint-airport services and combined frequent flyer programmes from Monday. British Airways, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Canadian Airlines are also introducing a round-the-world Explorer fare, leading-in at ú860.
Easyjet lobbies EC
Easyjet chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou is expected to voice his objections to the long-standing practice of airports charging airlines to use their facilities when he meets EC commissioners today. He claimed the low-cost airlines were subsidising the seasonal charter carriers. The carrier wants to adopt the US system allowing airlines to rent airport facilities.