13/05/2010

Ash Clouds Thomas Cook's Profits

Thomas Cook is down by millions of pounds in profits following the continuing disruption caused by the Icelandic ash cloud.

The travel firm has reported that disruption caused in April was costing £70m alone after the ash cloud grounded planes across Europe.

Thomas Cook estimates that it lost up to £20m of revenue from customers who chose not to rebook their holiday after they were unable to fly.

The rest of the £70m cost relates to the cost of supporting customers who were stranded, and bringing them home.

Chief Executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said that while customers had been reluctant to book holidays during the days when flights were cancelled, booking patterns quickly recovered once airspace was reopened.

"We are pleased with the development of our summer bookings programme, particularly given the disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

"If we exclude the estimated impact of the volcanic ash cloud, then the group remains confident of meeting board expectations for the year," Fontenla-Novoa said.

The volcanic ash cloud has caused significant economic damage, with the EU estimating that European businesses lost up to €2.5bn (£2.1bn), Airlines are thought to have lost at least $1.7bn (£1.15bn).

On a more positive note, Thomas Cook also reported that it made a smaller pretax loss in the six months to the end of March, at £252m compared with £309m the year before.

(BMcC/GK)

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