Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Flying back to profit
Holiday Extras has recorded three back-to-back months in profit for the first time since its business was decimated by travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic.
The firm, which has its headquarters in Newingreen, near Hythe, was forced to axe around a third of its 1,000 staff as travel was almost completely curtailed last year.
But the easing of restrictions has seen business pick up once more and it says it hopes to be back to prepandemic levels by 2023.
It specialises in airport parking, hotels and lounges as well as offering a range of Uk-based short-stays which it has leaned on heavily this year.
However, it has currently mothballed one of its two Kent sites - Apple Barn, in nearby Sellindge - after bringing its short-breaks team into its HQ. Its bosses admit it is keeping its options open as to when it will return to the site.
Its deputy chief executive
Simon Hagger admits when the pandemic arrived the business adopted a “war room mentality” as each day brought with it changing regulations and restrictions.
And despite “optimising furlough” it says it was the “absolute last resort” to let just over 300 staff go in what was a “really difficult and emotional time” as the firm look to secure its future.
Many of those made redundant are being offered employment again as the market picks up. But a strategic overhaul, as it adjusted to the new world, saw July and August turn a profit and September is all set to follow.
“To have the fundamentals of the business reach that point is a relief given what we’ve been through,” Mr Hagger says.
“Our great strength is we don’t mind where people fly to, as long as they do fly to need our services.”
He adds: “Volumes will come back and we’re ready.”