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SKY'S THE LIMIT: Bookings are up 43 per cent at Palmair

BOURNEMOUTH-based tour operator Palmair has reported a 43 per cent increase in bookings in the first two months of this year.

The increase is in forward bookings for travel between May and October which will see the operator carrying between 55,000 and 60,000 holidaymakers.

Palmair celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its first flight from Hurn Airport (now Bournemouth International Airport) in October. Palmair staff described the figures as "phenomenal".

Managing director, David Skillicorn said: "We are obviously thrilled at the increase, which is based on the number of bookings made in January and February over the same period in 2007.

"I'm sure any company would be pleased at even a modest rise in business, so we are delighted with growth of this magnitude."

He said early bookers picked up the best deals, paid the lowest deposits and enjoyed the biggest choice.

He added: "It's quite clear we are holding our own at a time of unprecedented choice of destinations and carriers, particularly with the growth of budget airlines." The best performing Palmair destination is Majorca, closely followed by the Canary Islands.

The company sells around 50,000 package holidays a year in total, operating two Palmair European Boeing 737s out of Bournemouth in the summer and one in the winter. Mr Skillicorn said he believed more and more travellers were fed up with the no frills approach on budget airlines and extra payments for basic services.

"We have spent five decades working very hard and providing all the frills we can for our clients and we have no intention of changing that policy," he said.

"We have a great team at Palmair and recognise that as a local business we are accountable to the people we take on holiday. We are not just a faceless organisation at the end of an internet connection."

The first Palmair flight took place on October 25 1958 to Majorca and the same date this year will also feature Palmair's regular weekly service to the island.

7:00pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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