"Bosses in talks over airport's future"
From The Journal's Business News"
Bosses in talks over airport's future
Sep 25 2008 By Andrew Mernin
AIRLINE carrier flyglobespan will sit down for a delayed meeting today with Durham Tees Valley Airport bosses to discuss future scheduling.
There had been speculation that the overdue talks were a sign that the carrier was to pull its services to six European destinations. But a spokesperson this week said scheduling decisions had been overshadowed by recent crises in the airline market. A string of carriers have been grounded as the economic grip tightens, including K&S Travel, XL Leisure, and Zoom, while the deadline passes today for a rescue bid to keep Alitalia in the air.
Flyglobespan has stepped in to rescue Thomas Cook travellers stranded by Futura Airways, which slid into administration last week. On Monday the Spanish Civil Aviation authority suspended its operating licence.
Flyglobespan will run mercy flights for Thomas Cook passengers between Durham Tees Valley and Mahon, Menorca, and Palma, Mallorca, until the end of October, and for the rest of the winter. The company said it had not been affected by the financial squeeze and enjoyed ‘record load factors’ this summer.
Chief executive Rick Green, said: "I think it is imperative at a time like this that the industry pulls together to support one another and we are pleased to have been able to assist". Meanwhile, KLM, which flies to Amsterdam from Durham Tees Valley, will unveil its future plans for services at the airport today.