Thomas Cook Airlines UK (Manchester International) parent, the Thomas Cook Group, has played down a report in the Sunday Times claiming it is considering selling off its quartet of carriers. In a statement to ch-aviation, the leisure group said that while it is pleased with the development and integration of its carriers, which include Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, and Condor, it would consider partnering other firms or airlines.

"We are very pleased with the development of our airlines and the integration our four airlines have achieved so far. Our Group Airlines have contributed more than GBP100 million (USD154 million) of synergies to our overall cost savings and they are working closer together than ever," Thomas Cook Group said in a statement. "We have also invested in the refurbishment of the cabins of our long-haul fleet and we have added long-haul aircraft to our Condor fleet in Germany and the UK. This shows that we see our airlines as an important part of our business and a support of our profitable growth strategy."

The Sunday Times claimed former CEO Harriet Green had first proposed the divestiture with the Group approaching a number of potential buyers including rival carriers as well as private equity investors. A possible tie-up with rival Monarch Airlines (1968) has also been studied though to date none of the parties has so far shown any commitment.

Collectively, the legacy leisure charter specialists are facing tough times with increased competition on the domestic and regional fronts from the likes of Ryanair, Norwegian and easyJet.

Monarch was last year bought out by Greybull Capital LLP, an investment firm which acquired control of the carrier's shareholding from founders, the Swiss-Italian Mantegazza family. A part of its new business plan, Monarch will transition into a "premium budget carrier" while ending all long-haul and charter flights by April this year. In the long term, it will focus on its five UK airport bases – London Gatwick, Manchester International, Birmingham, GB, London Luton and Leeds/Bradford. Its Nottingham East Midlands operations will end later this summer.

Earlier this month, rival firm TUI AG was reported to be pushing for a consolidation among its carriers which include TUI fly (Germany), TUI fly Nordic, Arke Fly, and Jetairfly. The German firm reportedly plans to use Thomson Airways, its largest airline, to anchor the project. Loss-making Corsair International has been omitted from the plan owing to its impending sale to Air Caraibes parent, Groupe Dubreuil.