Breaking News: Thomas Cook ceases trading
One of the best known names in the travel industry has sadly announced this morning, 23 September 2019, that it has ceased trading. A series of last minute negotiations failed to save the 178-year-old holiday firm and it has now entered compulsory liquidation.
Thomas Cook Group, including the UK tour operator and airline, has ceased trading with immediate effect. All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays, have now been cancelled.
There are currently more than 150,000 Thomas Cook customers abroad and the UK Civil Aviation Authority has now launched an emergency flying programme, codenamed ‘Operation Matterhorn’, to repatriate these customers. The programme is expected to last up to two weeks.
Peter Fankhauser, Thomas Cook’s chief executive, said the firm’s collapse was a “matter of profound regret” and apologised to the firm’s “millions of customers, and thousands of employees”.
If you are booked on a Thomas Cook holiday or flight, please contact your tour operator for more information. There is also a 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330 330 from overseas. You can also check thomascook.caa.co.uk for advice.
Our thoughts are with our colleagues in the travel industry, holiday makers and all those affected by this.
