Post by Humberside on Mar 7, 2009 16:30:26 GMT
www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1109085?UserKey=
A leading holiday company has pulled its summer programme of flights between Inverness and Spain, bringing disappointment to hundreds of sun-seekers.
Thomson and First Choice say they have been unable to secure aircraft for the services to Palma, Majorca, and Reus, Spain.
The move means that hundreds of families will have to change their travel plans this summer.
It is understood that those who had booked with the company have received letters informing them of the cancellation.
The weekly charter flights started in 2004 and ran for six weeks during the school holidays in July and August.
Inverness Airport manager Graeme Bell said: “We are disappointed to lose the Thomson/First Choice programme for 2009 but appreciate that the decision is based on unavailability of aircraft and does not reflect on the success of the company’s operations at Inverness since 2004.
“The holiday operator has been a valued and popular customer at Inverness and is one that we would hope to work with again in the future.”
A spokeswoman for Thomson and First Choice said: “Unfortunately, we have been unable to secure suitable aircraft for this year and, regrettably, we are left with no other option but to cancel this programme.
“Thomson and First Choice appreciate that such changes can be inconvenient and would like to apologise to any customers who may have been affected by the decision. Customer services will be in contact with passengers due to depart from Inverness to offer alternative arrangements from nearby departure airports.
“Passengers can still use Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow airports for Thomson and First Choice departures.”
Thomson and First Choice say they have been unable to secure aircraft for the services to Palma, Majorca, and Reus, Spain.
The move means that hundreds of families will have to change their travel plans this summer.
It is understood that those who had booked with the company have received letters informing them of the cancellation.
The weekly charter flights started in 2004 and ran for six weeks during the school holidays in July and August.
Inverness Airport manager Graeme Bell said: “We are disappointed to lose the Thomson/First Choice programme for 2009 but appreciate that the decision is based on unavailability of aircraft and does not reflect on the success of the company’s operations at Inverness since 2004.
“The holiday operator has been a valued and popular customer at Inverness and is one that we would hope to work with again in the future.”
A spokeswoman for Thomson and First Choice said: “Unfortunately, we have been unable to secure suitable aircraft for this year and, regrettably, we are left with no other option but to cancel this programme.
“Thomson and First Choice appreciate that such changes can be inconvenient and would like to apologise to any customers who may have been affected by the decision. Customer services will be in contact with passengers due to depart from Inverness to offer alternative arrangements from nearby departure airports.
“Passengers can still use Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow airports for Thomson and First Choice departures.”