All Monarch flights cancelled after airline collapses

Karl Smallman

LIGHTS OUT: A Monarch flight lands at Malaga airport

BRITISH charter and scheduled flight operator Monarch Airlines ceased trading at 4am this morning and announced it had appointed KPMG as liquidators.

It was placed into administration after the failure of talks with the Civil Aviation Authority and  failing to gain a renewal of its Air Travel Organiser’s Licence.

More than 410,000 bookings have been axed and the sudden collapse has left 110,000 passengers stranded abroad.

Monarch customers in the UK who are due to depart today or in the future, have been told not go to the airport as all flights have ceased operating.

It is the biggest UK airline to ever cease trading.

On their website the company said, “Monarch has confirmed that the following companies have ceased trading and now entered administration: Monarch Airlines Ltd, Monarch Holidays Ltd (ATOL Number 2275),  First Aviation Ltd (ATOL Number 4888) previously trading as Monarch Airlines, Avro Ltd (ATOL Number 1939) and Somewhere2stay Ltd.

“As a result, we are sorry to inform you that, as of 2 October 2017, all future holidays and flights provided by these companies have been cancelled and are no longer operating.

“This is an unprecedented situation and because there are up to 110,000 passengers abroad, the UK Government has asked the CAA to coordinate flights back to the UK for all Monarch customers currently overseas. These new flights will be at no extra cost to you.”

The Civil Aviation Authority has now begun the UK’s biggest repatriation effort to return costomers home.

The Government has asked the Civil Aviation Authority to charter more than 30 aircraft to bring customers currently overseas back to the UK.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who has ordered Britain’s biggest ever peacetime repatriation, said: ““This is a hugely distressing situation for British holidaymakers abroad – and my first priority is to help them get back to the UK. That is why I have immediately ordered the country’s biggest ever peacetime repatriation to fly about 110,000 passengers who could otherwise have been left stranded abroad. Nobody should underestimate the size of the challenge, so I ask passengers to be patient and act on the advice given by the CAA.”

For more information:For more information:
Visit: monarch.caa.co.uk
Call the helpline: 0300 303 2800

The airline, with headquarters at Luton Airport also had operating bases at Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Gatwick and Manchester Airports.

It operated scheduled flights to destinations in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece and Turkey.

What if I have booked a flight only direct with Monarch?

Customers with these bookings are not Atol protected and are not entitled to make a claim to the CAA. You are advised to contact your card issuer, insurer or PayPal for advice on how to claim a refund.

How will I get home if I have a flight only with Monarch?

Other airlines might step in and offer flights at discounted prices to Monarch’s flight only customers already abroad. Some travel insurance companies will cover the extra cost, depending on whether your policy offers cover for the collapse of an airline.

What if I have booked Monarch flights and Monarch Holidays through another travel company or travel agent?

If you booked a flight or holiday with another travel company or travel agent you should contact them directly about your arrangements. 

What if I have a holiday booked directly with Monarch Holidays?

Customers who booked directly with Monarch Holidays are Atol-protected and will have received an Atol Certificate when they made their booking. Arrangements for refunds to these bookings will be made as soon as possible, and they aim to complete this by the end of 2017 at the latest.

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