Thomas Cook and MyTravel are remaining tight-lipped about the possible integration of their two airline divisions, following the announcement last week that the tour operators are merging.
Under the proposed merger Thomas Cook's German parent, retailer KarstadtQuelle, will hold 52% of the enlarged company while the shareholders of MyTravel will own the remaining 48%. They aim to complete the deal in June.
Speaking about the merger, MyTravel's head of UK operations John Bloodworth would not be drawn on the future for the two unit's brands - they operate over 30 brands between them - but stresses that MyTravel would not rush into decisions to make changes. "We will be very careful when thinking about brands," he says.
Similarly, Bloodworth would not be drawn on plans for the airlines in the group. Thomas Cook operates in-house carriers Condor and Thomas Cook Airlines, while MyTravel conducts services through its own airline MyTravel Airways.
"We will have a groupwide fleet of 97 aircraft - with 45 in the UK," he says, but adds that it is "too early to tell" what impact the deal may have on the airlines.
The size of the combined fleet puts the operation on a similar scale to major rival TUI. The fleet mix would be a good fit, as the Airbus A320 and A330 is prevalent in both airlines' fleets.
Thomas Cook's three in-house carriers - Condor in Germany and Thomas Cook Airlines in Belgium and the UK - have a combined fleet of 66 aircraft.
According to Flight's ACAS database, the fleet comprises A320s and A330-200s and Boeing 757-200/300s and 767-300ERs.
MyTravel's in-house airline MyTravel Airways has operations in the UK and Scandinavia, with a combined fleet of 31 aircraft comprising A320/A321s and A330-200/300s and 767-300ERs.
Source: Flight International
