First Choice notches profits record

Tour operator First Choice posted record annual profits today despite a year that saw the travel industry hit by events including the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and terrorist attacks.

The group, whose brands include Unijet, Falcon and Sovereign, said pre-tax profit before one-off items rose 16% to £114m (€168m), after turnover rose 11% to £2.58bn (€3.8bn).