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THOMAS Cook has confirmed it has an "opportunity" to progress with a cheaper supplier than TTC Training for ABTA’s insurance qualification.

Director of trade relations Ian Derbyshire has always said the operator was looking at cheaper schemes than TTC’s, which would cost £17 a head for the mandatory level-one qualification.

It is understood Derbyshire met with ABTA head of financial services Mike Monk this week to discuss an alternative. Thomas Cook has previously met with the Institute of Travel and Tourism to consider joint training (Travel Weekly March 29).

Derbyshire refused to confirm whether a deal had been formally struck, but said: "We’ve the opportunity to progress with one supplier."

ABTA’s TTC scheme could have left the big four with a combined bill of at least £400,000.

Derbyshire said any alternative scheme would need the green light from the ABTA board. The deadline for the qualification is September 2005.

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