SHARES in Thomson, Airtours and First Choice have risen sharply on rumours that all three companies could be the subject of takeovers.
German travel giant Preussag, which owns 25% of Thomas Cook, has been linked with both Thomson and First Choice. Meanwhile, US cruise giant Carnival, which has a 29% stake in Airtours, is rumoured to be planning a full-scale bid for the company ahead of the operator’s annual general meeting and trading statement tomorrow.
City analysts were sceptical about whether any of the deals would materialise.”Positive statements about Thomson and Airtours have helped push the share prices up and I think Preussag wants to concentrate on Thomas Cook,” said one analyst.
“Carnival’s minority share in Airtours has never seemed like a long-term arrangement, so something might happen there.”
Thomson, Airtours and First Choice refused to comment.
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