A new airline portal connecting UK air travellers to more than 180 carriers has been established.





The www.alternativeairlines.com has been created by representation firm Flight Directors which has developed websites for a range of less well known carriers such as Air Botswana, Air Niugini and Lab Airlines of Bolivia.





The multi-airline bookings portal has grown from UK websites for 11 airlines established by the company.





Flight Directors claims the portal provides simple, transparent access to one of the world's most extensive airline portfolios.





The site was established after the company obtained an IATA licence to enable ticket issue for multiple carriers.





Aimed at "value conscious and savvy travellers", future plans include the offer of ancillary products for online purchase, together with an enlarged marketing footprint, with alternative currencies, content and languages.





Managing director John Pope said: "We're already offering more airlines online than most travel sites, but the real buzz is that we're able to attract passengers onto airlines which the other sites ignore.





"As a traveller myself, I firmly believe that the journey is as important as the destination, and if you can start the experience as soon as you board the aircraft then that's got to be a bonus."







by Phil Davies