Airtours is a British tour operator specialising in package holidays throughout Europe, as well as in parts of North America and the Caribbean. Once an independent operator, the brand fell within MyTravel Group plc between 2002 and 2007, before it then merged with Thomas Cook AG to form Thomas Cook Group plc, under which the Airtours brand currently operates.
The company presently serves numerous resorts across 18 different countries on four continents, as well as offshore territories such as the Canary Islands and Madiera . It operates its charter flights through Thomas Cook Airlines from 12 UK bases including London Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport.
As a brand, Airtours pitches itself as Thomas Cook Group's 'value for money' option, specialising in all-inclusive packages with a family focus. Almost all hotels and resorts served by Airtours are unique to the brand, not covered under other Thomas Cook Group operators.
Video Airtours International Airways
History
Airtours' origins can be traced back to Lancashire, United Kingdom. From 1972 onwards, travel agent David Crossland began purchasing numerous small agencies across the region. He initially purchased Pendle Travel Services, which operated just two stores, before acquiring an agency run by Albert and Ivy Roberts. Their business had been registered using their initials - A.I.R Tours - and it is from this that the Airtours name was born.
The business continued to expand gradually throughout the 1970s, but growth accelerated rapidly when the operator began offering package holidays during the 1980s. Airtours found great success in opening up new destinations and markets to customers who might otherwise not have been able to afford them. Memorably, they offered their first charter flights to the Caribbean in 1987 for just £299.
In 1990, Airtours founded its in-house airline; Airtours International Airways. Announced on 1 October 1990, its first flight departed in March 1991. Together with Airtours Holidays, the airline formed Airtours Group PLC and was headquartered in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
The company continued to expand throughout the 1990s, particularly in its long-haul capabilities. Its fleet of aircraft grew steadily and a number of high-profile acquisitions were made, such as Aspro Holidays in 1993 and PremiAir - a Scandinavian airline - in 1996.
As a result of major acquisitions like these and wider consolidation in the market, the business was restructured and brought under the newly-formed MyTravel Group plc in May 2002. Airtours International Airways was rebranded as MyTravel Airways, while the Airtours Holidays brand continued to trade within the group.
Further consolidation came five years later. On 12 February 2007, MyTravel Group plc and Thomas Cook AG announced their intention to merge. This was formerly completed on 19 June 2007, when the two companies became Thomas Cook Group plc. Subsequently, the airline arm of the business was rebranded Thomas Cook Airlines, and the Airtours brand fell under the control of the group - where it remains today. Listed in London, Airtours' operations are now headquartered from Peterborough, United Kingdom.
Maps Airtours International Airways
Destinations
Today, Airtours serves popular resort destinations across Europe and the wider Mediterranean region, including Turkey and Egypt, as well as North America and the Caribbean. It does so from 12 UK airports:
From selected bases, Airtours operates in the following countries and territories.
References
External links
- Airtours
- Thomas Cook Group
Source of article : Wikipedia
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