Q&A: What the collapse of Thomas Cook means for UK holidaymakers

Q How many people are affected?

A The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said there are currently more than 150,000 British customers on Thomas Cook holidays abroad – nearly twice the number that were repatriated after the collapse of Monarch in 2017. An estimated million more have lost their future bookings.

Q What will happen to customers already on holiday?

A The CAA said the government has asked it to launch a repatriation programme over the next two weeks, starting yesterday and running to Sunday, 6 October. The Department for Transport (DFT) said all customers currently abroad with Thomas Cook who are booked to return to the UK over the next two weeks will be brought home as close as possible to their booked return date. Thomas Cook package holiday customers will also see the cost of their accommodation covered by the government, through the Air Travel Trust Fund or Atol scheme. Customers currently overseas should not travel to the airport until their flight back to the UK has been confirmed on the dedicated website thomascook. caa.co.uk.

Q What about those who have bookings and are yet to travel?

A All bookings have been cancelled and, according to the CAA, Thomas Cook customers in the UK who have yet to travel should not go to the airport as all flights leaving the UK have been grounded.

Q What will happen to Thomas Cook shops?

A Thomas Cook has around 600 stores on the United Kingdom’s high streets which are expected to close. The Thomas Cook Group employs at least 21,000 people across 16 countries.

Q What about the airlines?

A All flights have been cancelled, according to the CAA. Those based in the UK, Scandinavia and the Balearics carry the group’s name, while their German sister company is named Condor.

Q How can holidaymakers find out more?

A A website has been set up at thomascook.caa.co.uk and the helpline number for people in the UK is 0300 303 2800.