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Swine flu: TUI and Thomas Cook cancel Mexico flights

Thomson and First Choice have cancelled all outbound flights to Mexico operating to Cancun and Cozumel until May 8.


Customers who are in Cancun at the moment will return to the UK on their original flights.


In a joint statement from the companies, which are owned by TUI Travel, it said: “While we do appreciate that this news may be a great disappointment to customers, we hope they will also understand that their health and safety is of paramount importance to Thomson and First Choice.”


The Foreign Office issued advice this morning warning against all but essential travel to Mexico due to swine flu.


Customers due to travel to Cancun or Cozumel from April 28 up to and including May 8 will have the option to make a free amendment to their holiday and select a different destination or alternative date up to the same value already booked. Customers also have the option to cancel their holiday and receive a full refund without incurring any cancellation charge.


Customers due to travel between May 9 to May 22 inclusive will also have the option to make a free amendment to their holiday and select a different destination or alternative date up to the same value already booked.


Thomas Cook has cancelled holidays departing to Cancun for the next seven days. It is also offering holidaymakers with bookings until May 22 the opportunity to rebook their holiday to a different destination subject to availability and to the same value.



Image: Swine flu scare, Guadalajara, Mexico – KPA / Zuma / Rex Features




Eyewitness account


Out on the Pacific coast in the resort of Acapulco the majority of people appear unfazed by what is happening. The images of crowds in face masks in Mexico City could be from another place.
Ian Taylor reports from Acapulco



Find out more


Similar swine flu viruses have jumped from pigs to people before and have always petered out without causing a pandemic because they were not good enough at spreading in people. This virus may do the same thing.
Swine Flu: What you need to knowNewscientist.com

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