Kiss Flights sold before operations have even started
It has been announced this week that Kiss Flights, the controversial charter flight-only operator which seemly rose from the ashes of the XL collapse, has been sold - before it has even operated a single flight. Founded in the later part of 2008, Kiss pitched themselves into the hole in the market that XL Airways left behind in September 2008. With a very identical but much reduced route plan, it was hoped that Kiss would help agents sell destinations that XL serviced before its demise.
Kiss Flights have been acquired by Flight Options, who have a long trading history as a sports tour operator and dynamic packager. All forward bookings have been reprotected under Flight Options ATOL licence. Flight Options have stated that the purchase of Kiss will allow them to develop a Kiss Holidays brand.
So why did Kiss sell out so early? I can only conclude that the current economic climate has them worried and with early bookings numbers now in, forward bookings could not have been as good as maybe they had hoped they would be.
Fingers crossed Flight Options will continue to sell these new routes to travel agents and not withhold them to give them an edge over their competitors.
Maybe they’ve realised people are on to them for stitching up XL staff and passengers. Let’s hope they get stitched up soon for good.