Skyservice Airlines fails while Cheap Tickets Canada.com urges legislation.

[Norm]

Skyservice Airlines fails while Cheap Tickets Canada.com urges legislation.

Victoria, BC / March 31, 2010 – Cheap Tickets Canada.com is reassuring passengers booked on Skyservice flights that travel plans should be back to normal soon. Tour operators such as Sunquest Vacations, Signature Vacations and Sunwing purchased seats on Skyservice flights to transport individuals who booked their package holidays. CheapTicketsCanada.com is working to assist affected customers and ensure that their travel plans are not negatively impacted. "Anyone affected by Skyservice's closure can contact us or visit our website for updated information even if they did not book their travel arrangements through our company." says Normand Schafer, Cheap Tickets Canada President.


All purchases made through Cheap Tickets Canada.com are insured against supplier default. Cheap Tickets Canada.com is licenced with the Consumer Protection BC (BPCPA) which provides additional protection on all travel purchases made by consumers from across Canada."It is important that consumers protect their travel purchases in this time of economic uncertainty by paying for travel purchases with a registered travel company like Cheap Tickets Canada.com." noted Schafer.

While this marks a new failure of a major charter carrier, the collapse of other airlines such as Go Travel South, FlyGlobespan, Zoom Airlines, Oasis Hong Kong, Jetsgo, Canjet and Canada 3000 in recent years illustrates the volatility within the travel business.


Cheap Tickets Canada is urging federal officials to develop Canadian legislation to protect travellers. "Companies don't just wake up in the morning and say, let's file for bankruptcy protection." comments Schafer. "They are aware of the issues in advance and country wide legislation could protect Canadian consumers against being stranded in places around the world by providing funding in the week following an airline failure."


View www.CheapTicketsCanada.com for updated information.

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For more information, please contact:
Normand Schafer
Cheap Tickets Canada.com
Ph: 250-386-5555 Ext. 133

[Norm]

Sunquest secures replacement flights for customers affected by shut-down of Skyservice Airlines

Only certain Toronto and Winnipeg flights in April affected

TORONTO, March 31 /CNW/ - Sunquest Vacations announced today that it has organized replacement flights for all of its customers who might otherwise have been affected by the suspension of operations by Skyservice Airlines. Skyservice was placed into receivership by the Ontario Court earlier today.

Skyservice was an independent supplier to Sunquest, which is part of Thomas Cook Group plc, one of the world's leading travel groups. Since 1995, Skyservice has operated aircraft for Sunquest and other tour operators between Canada and destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. The only Sunquest flights affected by the Skyservice shut-down originate in Toronto or Winnipeg, and represent less than a third of the remaining flights for Sunquest's winter program which ends April 30, 2010. No flights were scheduled for today and replacement flights for the coming days have been arranged with other carriers, principally Air Transat and Enerjet.

Seventy percent of Sunquest's remaining April winter flights are not affected and none of its customers on flights after May 1, 2010 are affected.

"We are focused on minimizing disruption to our customers, not only those currently at their destination but also those scheduled to travel over the coming days and weeks," said Michael Friisdahl, Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook North America. "Since it is late in the winter season, a relatively small number of our passengers were booked on Skyservice flights and we have the capability to respond effectively to this situation. Travel agents and Sunquest representatives at the destinations are moving quickly to contact everyone to provide updated flight details. We expect to have reached all those customers by the end of the day."

Sunquest has increased its support centre staffing and hours of operation to provide travel agents and customers with information.
"The loss of Skyservice is regrettable for us and the Canadian travel industry," Mr. Friisdahl said. "However, we have long-established relationships with a number of flying partners and we are able to turn to these partners to quickly and seamlessly arrange alternate flights for our customers scheduled to travel with Skyservice."

Key information for Sunquest travellers:


The great majority of Sunquest vacations scheduled between today and April 30 are not on Skyservice flights. Customers who are currently booked to fly with Skyservice will now be accommodated on alternative flights.

- Travellers already at their destinations who departed from Toronto or Winnipeg on Skyservice flights: All flights have been replaced. Currently almost 80 per cent of return flights will operate on the same day as their existing itinerary, although some departure times may change. Sunquest will provide accommodation at no cost for package holiday customers who cannot return on their scheduled departure day. All customers will be contacted today by Sunquest representatives on the ground who are fully prepared and will provide details and replacement travel documentation. - Travellers departing from Toronto between now and April 30, 2010 booked on Skyservice flights: Alternative flights have been arranged for these customers. No further Skyservice flights are scheduled to depart from Winnipeg. Sunquest representatives or travel agents will contact customers today and will provide updated flight information and documentation. - Travellers at their destinations who departed from locations other than Toronto or Winnipeg: Not affected. They were not on Skyservice flights. - Travellers departing from all locations other than Toronto or Winnipeg between now and April 30, 2010: Not affected. They were not on Skyservice flights. - Travellers on any Sunquest vacations after April 30, 2010 are not affected by the Skyservice shut-down. Sunquest's summer program begins May 1, 2010 and, as previously announced, flights for the summer season are being provided by WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline. Sunquest expects to announce its flight provider for the 2010-2011 winter program very shortly.

"Everyone can continue to book their Sunquest vacations with complete confidence. We have flights in place for all our customers today thanks to our contingency planning and we have excellent flying partners to serve our customers for the future," Mr. Friisdahl said.

Background


Skyservice Airlines is an independent company in which Thomas Cook has no ownership interest. It was placed into receivership today by order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. This follows Skyservice's efforts earlier this year to remain viable, including seeking and receiving financial assistance from Thomas Cook Canada Inc. which owns Sunquest while Skyservice attempted to restructure its business. However, by March 31, Skyservice could no longer meet its financial obligations, and could not continue its operations.

"Thomas Cook and Sunquest did everything possible to assist Skyservice and limit the effect of its financial difficulties on travellers," said Mr. Friisdahl. "Unfortunately, faced with unprecedented difficulties in the airline business, Skyservice could not return to viability. We sympathize with the management, employees and suppliers affected by this unfortunate situation."


About Sunquest

Sunquest is one of Canada's largest and most respected tour companies operating out of multiple gateways across the country and flying to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Italy. It is one of several travel businesses owned by Thomas Cook North America.

[Norm]

Statement from Russell Payson, CEO Skyservice Business Aviation Inc.

TORONTO, March 31 /CNW/ - "Skyservice Business Aviation Inc. is not affiliated in any way with Skyservice Airlines. Today's announcement from Skyservice Airlines has nothing to do with Skyservice Business Aviation. We continue to operate as usual and wish to assure all clients, suppliers and employees that Skyservice Business Aviation is, in no way, affected by today's announcement.

Skyservice Business Aviation continues to provide Canada's premiere fixed base operations, private charter services, managed aircraft, air ambulance and maintenance support for commercial and private air transport."


For more information about Skyservice Business Aviation please visit www.skyservicebas.com.