A HIGH-flying Bury holiday flight company which has soared to success during the last decade is on course to achieving a major milestone this year.

Sky Deals, based at Balmoral House in Hollins Brook Way, is confident of carrying in excess of 500,000 passengers during this calendar year, with 50 per cent of these passengers coming directly or indirectly from the Internet.

Last year, Sky Deals earned the official accolade of being the "number one flight-only specialist for the UK's leading tour operators" voted by the operators themselves. It is now part of the World of TUI, the world's largest leisure brand.

As one of the UK's leading flight specialists and part of the Thomson travel group, Sky Deals offers specially negotiated airfares on hundreds of scheduled and charter airlines.

The thriving company's core business comes through specialising in Europe's leisure destinations, the top three being Tenerife, Malaga and Alicante.

Head of Sky Deals Steve Sergeant is delighted that the company's rapid growth has continued despite cut-throat competition.

"The business was originally based in Whitefield after being launched by co-founders Lynne Gartell and Mark Zapolski," he said.

"They had recognised an opportunity in the market and the power of the Teletext on television."

Sky Deals moved into Balmoral House in 1999 and now commands a substantial presence in the building.

The success of the company is not only measured in passenger numbers but in the ever-growing level of its own workforce.

Steve added: "From an original four people, the figure is now up to 600, which includes 55 home workers."

Last year, the business diversified and began to offer flight and accommodation options. The strong relationship with the hotel and property specialists made this possible and means prices are very competitive.

The strength of Sky Deals lies in the systems that are deployed which allows them to pass the best prices and discounts to the customer.

New media has also emerged as a major breeding ground for bookings with more and more customers harnessing the world wide web.

Steve Sergeant says the company does not cater for the "holidaymaker" per se, but rather facilitates travel arrangements for those customers who have already secured their accommodation requirements through time share or property ownership.