The largest repatriation in peace time history is now underway following the collapse of Thomas Cook.
All flights have now been cancelled and Government and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have chartered dozens of planes to return customers back to the UK.
Passengers scheduled to return to the UK in the next 48 hours (23-25 September) can call the Civil Aviation Authority’s call centre.
Due to expected high volumes they are asking only passengers originally scheduled to return to the UK within the next 48 hours to call, or if you are currently overseas and having difficulty with your accommodation, or you require special assistance.
The CAA’s call centre for Thomas Cook customers can be contacted as follows.
Calls from the UK (reduced rate): 0300 303 2800
Calls from overseas: +44 1753 330 330
Anyone currently abroad should visit https://thomascook.caa.co.uk/customers/if-you-are-currently-abroad/
Customers waiting to travel should not go to the airport. Anyone with future bookings should visit https://thomascook.caa.co.uk/customers/if-you-have-a-future-booking-and-have-not-traveled-yet/
Passengers booked to return to the UK over the next two weeks will be brought home as close as possible to their booked return date.
All the details of each flight will be posted on thomascook.caa.co.uk, as soon as they are available.
All Thomas Cook customers with flights back to the UK, will be brought home regardless of whether they have ATOL protection Government has confirmed.
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “Thomas Cook’s collapse is very sad news for staff and holidaymakers. The Government and UK CAA is working round the clock to help people. Our contingency planning has helped acquire planes from across the world – some from as far away as Malaysia – and we have put hundreds of people in call centres and at airports. But the task is enormous, the biggest peacetime repatriation in UK history. So there are bound to be problems and delays. Please try to be understanding with the staff who are trying to assist in what is likely to be a very difficult time for them as well."