The aviation regulator has issued guidance for consumers either on holiday or who have bookings with Thomas Cook following its failure.
The Civil Aviation Authority admitted the repatriation process – involving at least 45 aircraft to fly home 150,000 Thomas Cook passengers – is “hugely complex”.
However, the authority said it was working around the clock in support of holidaymakers caught up in the failure.
The government and the CAA are now working together to do everything we can to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between today (Monday) and October 6.
“Depending on your location, this will be either on CAA-operated flights or by using existing flights with other airlines,” it said.
“If you are due to depart from a UK airport with Thomas Cook Airlines, please do not travel to your UK airport as your flight will not be operating and you will not be able to travel.”
CAA guidance:
Customers already abroad
If you are currently abroad and your flight was with Thomas Cook we are providing new flights to return you to the UK. These repatriation flights will only be operating for the next two weeks, until October 6. After this date you will have to make your own travel arrangements.
From a small number of locations, passengers will have to book their own return flights.
For further advice and details of your return journey please read I am currently abroad.
Please note that repatriation flights are only available for passengers whose journey originated in the UK.
If you are currently abroad and due to return to the UK after October 6, please read the additional information section.
If you are Atol-protected and are having difficulties with your hotel, please read managing difficulties with accommodation.
Please note: Some of Thomas Cook’s package holiday bookings include flights with airlines unrelated to the Thomas Cook Group.
If your return flight is not with Thomas Cook’s airline, it will still be valid.
However, other elements of the package, such as accommodation and transfers will be affected.
Customers yet to travel out from the UK
We are sorry to inform you that all future holidays and flights booked with Thomas Cook are cancelled as of 23 September 2019.
If you are booked on a Thomas Cook Airlines flight, please do not go to your UK airport, as your flight will not be operating.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s repatriation programme will not include any outbound flights from the UK.
If you choose to book a new flight with another airline out of the UK, you will not be eligible for a repatriation flight.
Please note: Some of Thomas Cook’s package holiday bookings include flights with airlines unrelated to the Thomas Cook Group.
If your return flight is not with Thomas Cook’s airline it may still be valid.
However, other elements of the package, such as accommodation and transfers might be affected.
Further information is available here
• Customers currently overseas should check thomascook.caa.co.uk for advice and only go to the airport once they have an alternative flight confirmed
• 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330 330 from overseas
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