Customers face two-month wait for refunds on holidays

THOMAS Cook customers may have to wait two months to receive a refund on their holidays after the firm’s collapse.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has now released further information on how holidaymakers can claim back money on their lost trips.

For direct debit customers, a refund will be given in 14 days – but others have been told they could be waiting up to 60 days.

Package holidays booked with Thomas Cook – the majority of its business – are covered by the Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (Atol) scheme. The CAA said the refund programme is three times larger than any other previously, and around 365,000 customers are currently awaiting a refund payment.

Around 100,000 Thomas Cook customers paid for their holidays by direct debit, with the remaining 265,000 using another methods like credit or debit cards.

The CAA also confirmed that two-thirds of people on holiday when the firm collapse have now been brought home, with a further 43,000 due to return before October 6. JUST one person – from crowds of around 13,000 – was arrested during protests ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester city centre.

Two marches were held on Sunday.

Greater Manchester Police said one person was arrested on suspicion of affray.

Officers also detained two people for historic offences, unrelated to the events.

The force said seven section 35 dispersal orders – which bans individuals or a group from an area – were issued.

The People’s Assembly Against Austerity held a rally, which began on All Saints Park, on Oxford Road, and ended at Cathedral Approach.

Another march, named Reject Brexit, Defend Our Democracy, also took place, starting at Whitworth Park, on Oxford Road, and ending at Castlefield Bowl.

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, Peter Tatchell and MP Angela Ratner were among the speakers at the demo.

Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese praised those who took part in the peaceful protests.

He said: “The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democracy and we have seen that exercised on the streets of our city.”