Thomas Cook collapsed yesterday as las-minute talks to secure a vital £200 million boost for the company failed. The 178-year-old company has now ceased trading with the CAA, and thousands of people are left stranded abroad. Other travel companies have been forced to cancel their plans involving Thomas Cook, with TUI and now First Choice fielding cancellations.
While First Choice flights are cancelled?
First Choice flights were cancelled alongside TUI, which owns the agency.
Talking to Sun Online Travel, one spokesman said: “We’ve unfortunately had to cancel TUI and First Choice bookings featuring Thomas Cook flights for any customers due to travel before 31st October.
“Customers can call us on 0800 009 3833 or 0203 636 1994 to discuss their upcoming holiday booking.”
The agency has not released a list of affected flights, but advised those on Thomas Cook flights to contact them.
They added: “For customers currently on holiday and due to fly home on a Thomas Cook flight, our teams in resort will be in touch to update you as more information becomes available.
“We would advise customers continue to enjoy their holidays and visit https://thomascook.caa.co.uk/ for further updates.”
First Choice also announced via their website they would be organising refunds for people affected by cancellations.
In a statement, they said: “As a result of this announcement, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel any TUI and First Choice bookings featuring Thomas Cook flights for any customers due to travel from Monday 23rd September until 31st October 2019.
“The advice is not to travel to the airport.
“We will be organising full holiday refunds for these customers and will process these as quickly as possible.
“For any TUI and First Choice customers with Thomas Cook flights due to travel after this date, please bear with us as we look at other options and alternatives for you as a priority.”
The main priority for travel agencies and airlines now is ensuring stranded customers can get home.
An estimated 150,000 Brits were left abroad as Thomas Cook collapsed, with hotels panicking over whether or not they would receive payment.
The government has opened a “shadow” airline in order to bring people home, and yesterday saw 14,000 passengers delivered safely back to the UK.
Another 135,000 customers are scheduled to return over the next 13 days.
