Airtours turns up heat in holiday price war

THE HOLIDAY price war intensified yesterday when Airtours, Britain's second largest package holiday company, announced more than 100,000 'children-go-free' deals, writes John Arlidge.

The Manchester-based firm said youngsters up to the age of 19 were eligible. A two-week holiday on Spain's Costa Brava for two adults and two children next May could cost pounds 491.

This month Cosmos announced more than pounds 7m-worth of free holidays for children: up to 50,000 could go free to nearly 300 hotels and apartments in 29 destinations. Thomson Holidays, Britain's biggest package company, and Thomas Cook also announced child-free offers.