Thomas Cook closure leaves holidaymakers stranded

Monday 23 September 2019

Around 150,000 Brits could be stranded abroad after the sudden closure of travel company Thomas Cook.

The tourism giant ceased trading this morning after failing to secure a last-ditch rescue deal, which UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said would have cost taxpayers £150 million and set a dangerous precedent for bailing out businesses with commercial difficulties.

Around 150,000 British holidaymakers are currently abroad and will need to be repatriated, the Civil Aviation Authority said.

We are sorry to announce that Thomas Cook has ceased trading with immediate effect.

This account will not be monitored.

Please visit https://t.co/WWiKkzLYQJ for further advice and information.#ThomasCook pic.twitter.com/Nf1X3jn97x

— Thomas Cook (@ThomasCookUK) 23 September 2019

Less than 24 hours earlier, Thomas Cook staff had been telling customers that flights and other services were operating as normal. 

The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority are working together to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between 23 September and 6 October. Depending on your location, this will be either on CAA-operated flights or by using existing flights with other airlines.

Anyone due to depart from a UK airport with Thomas Cook Airlines have been asked not to travel as they will not be operating and you will not be able to travel.

In their statement this morning, Thomas Cook said the repatriation was "hugely complex".

More information on who to contact if you have a booking with Thomas Cook can be found here.