Travel Weekly Blog

Just had lunch with Cheapflights.co.uk CEO David Soskin and head of international development Hugo Burge.

Hugo has been working on a self-financed travel networking site called Hereorthere.com, which Nathan writes about below. I'm slightly sceptical about the idea, as I can’t see what is new about the concept – but Hugo assures me he has had positive comments from the online community.

Cheapflights is also looking to develop Dohop.com, a sort of OAG service for the consumer, enabling consumers to find flight times. If Heretothere and Dohop take off we could see both become part of the Cheapflights offering.

These are exciting times for David and Hugo - strong growth and ambition. And they are bringing in talented people. For example, Francesca Ecsery-Merrens will shortly be starting as UK general manager. Francesca joins from STA Travel where she was MD of the international division.

Couldn't help myself asking David what he loves and hates about flying:

• Loves: airlines that provide a wide range of films. Virgin and BA get the thumbs up.
• Hates: Being interrupted mid-flight by attendants trying to sell duty free.

And the two things he would like Travel Weekly to do:

1. Lobby on behalf of the industry on environmental issues.
2. Help break BAA’s monopoly of London airports.

We’ve been working on number one – keep watching Travel Weekly for our coverage of environmental issues.

And as for Heathrow, would people put up with gas or electricity being run in the same way as Heathrow? Not exactly a like for like example, but you get the gist. The BAA/Government ping pong is a joke, and the people that suffer are travel companies, airlines and consumers.

Martin Couzins, online editor