Ash cloud's silver lining as package sales soar

It reported a 20% increase in bookings in the past week compared with the same period last year.

The resurgence in package sales comes as passengers embark on the inaugural flights of the agency chain’s own tour operation at UK airports.

Mike Greenacre, managing director of The Co-operative Travel, was at Manchester Airport on Saturday to see the first passengers depart on The Co-operative Travel holidays.

The new tour operation is a joint venture with Cosmos, and Greenacre was joined by Stuart Jackson, managing director for Cosmos Mainstream.

Greenacre said: ‘Last year we announced the launch of our tour operation – selling package holidays to traditionally popular destinations – and industry experts questioned our optimism as we came into the market during the recession. 

‘That optimism is now being applauded as holidaymakers return to the package holiday in their thousands.’

The figures are supported by GfK Ascent MI, the official collator of travel industry booking data, which reported that high street travel branches have increased their market share by ten percentage points and share of package bookings by eight points in the last week.

Jackson added: ‘Customers look for certainty in uncertain times, and events such as the ash cloud – allied with some high profile failures in the travel industry – have meant that holidaymakers revert to what they know. 

‘That is why established brands such as Cosmos and The Co-operative prove popular, and likewise the package holiday.’

Manchester Airport lost an estimated £4.2m due to flight disruptions during the volcanic ash crisis.

Andrew Cornish, the airport's managing director, said: ‘We’re still hoping for a strong summer here at Manchester and many of our airlines have added extra capacity to enable that to happen.

‘It’s now essential that we utilise partnerships such as this one with The Co-operative Travel and Cosmos to ensure that we remain on track for a profitable summer.’