Travel industry news

Spanish holiday for two to be won at TTG Fairer Travel Festival

The week-long online event will give agents the confidence to sell responsible holidays more confidently

Ex-Classic Collection commercial chief Alex Gavalda joins Travel Counsellors

Gavalda has previously worked for Kuoni, Vivid Travel and Classic Collection Holidays during a travel career spanning more than 20 years

Aer Lingus pilots to embark on 'indefinite' industrial action starting next week

Irish Airline Pilots’ Association confirms plans for strict work-to-rule policy after successful strike ballot

British Airways granted permission to extend US network with JetBlue codeshare

British Airways will add 75 connections from New York and Boston with JetBlue following the approval of a codeshare deal by US authorities

Summer 2024 'sold well' despite late booking trend and cost worries

A TTG Agenda 2024 panel agreed the summer had so far sold well, but a section of the market is holding back due to financial concerns

Consumer sentiment on the up, but holiday cost remains an issue – PwC

PwC survey reveals optimism among consumers about the economy, but some are holding back on booking travel citing cost and concern about household finances

Devon agency marks 10 years on the high street with launch of third shop

Sue Hunter told TTG she chose to open her third shop in the north Devon town of Barnstaple because of the many opportunities the location presented

Advantage Travel Partnership profits double to reach highest level since 2018

Consortium’s net profit for the 12 months to 30 September last year soar to nearly £1.2 million

Aer Lingus pilots vote convincingly for summer strike action in second ballot

However, president of Irish pilots’ union Ialpa, Captain Mark Tighe, said action was ’not inevitable’ despite the vote

Travel job placements plummet in May despite increase in candidates

New monthly data from C&M Travel Recruitment reveals the number of candidates searching for travel jobs increased in May to its highest level for six months

Play commercial chief Adrian Keating leaves carrier to be closer to family

Keating has left the Icelandic low-cost airline and will relocate back to the UK on a more permanent basis due to family reasons

Sunlounger Travel: 'Our expansion plan is optimistic – but possible'

Sunlounger Travel co-owner Iain Kirkbright tells TTG about the agency’s origins, its ethos – and its plans to grow its footprint

Cruise industry veteran Tony Roberts leaves Warner Hotels after 14 months

Prior to joining the hotel group, Roberts spent more than 22 years working for Seabourn, Princess Cruises and Carnival UK brands P&O Cruises and Cunard

Saudi government to buy larger stake in Heathrow airport

Paris-based Ardian will acquire a 22.6% stake, while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will buy a 15% stake – up from a previously agreed 10%

Further 175,000 FTI trips cancelled as package takeover talks fail

All FTI Touristik trips due to depart from Saturday 6 July cancelled with immediate effect

Agent's video shows Birmingham airport security queue snaking out of terminal

Midlands agent Simon Oram’s video was taken shortly after 6am on Thursday morning (13 June) and highlights the extent of the issue at BHX

'Earliest heatwave on record' prompts Greek wildfire warnings

Mid-June temperatures edged towards 45C this week for the first time

The 40-year-old Virgin: How Richard Branson's revolutionary airline made its fifth decade

Virgin Atlantic this week hosted a 40th birthday party for the ages in Las Vegas; Laura Millar finds out how and why Richard Branson’s carrier has stood the test of time, and what’s next for the travel trade

Finalists revealed for Travel Industry Awards by TTG 2024

The shortlist has been revealed ahead of the show-stopping ceremony in London on 26 September

Changes to liquid rules 'creating uncertainty' heading into summer peak season

The government’s decision to temporarily reintroduce the 100ml liquid rule at six UK airports will create ’uncertainty’ going into the peak summer season, airports have warned

Aer Lingus strike vote prompts disruption warning from Irish agents body

Aer Lingus members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action this summer in a dispute over pay with owner IAG

Coronation Street plays host to Hays Travel summer street party

Thirty die-hard Corrie fans headed to Hays Travel’s summer street party in Weatherfield on 8 June

Classic Collection completes transition back to 'one brand, one platform' model

New booking platform features more than 5,000 hotels across 78 destinations following the merger of its Classic Collection Holidays and Classic Package Holidays brands

Fred Olsen Travel expansion continues with acquisition of 21st branch

Solent World Travel in Lee-on-Solent becomes the agency’s latest acquisition, its eighth new or acquired agency since 2021