Stranded Thomas Cook travellers return home

MORE than 95 per cent of stranded Thomas Cook customers have returned home on schedule after the Civil Aviation Authority stepped in.

The authority says that the vast majority of travellers due to return to the UK on September 25 have been found alternative flights.

The UK´s biggest peacetime repatriation project started on Monday to transport more than 150,000 people back to Britain including

On Wednesday,71 flights operated to bring back around 17,000 passengers. In the first three days of the operation 46,000 people have flown home which is about 30 per cent of the total number including more than 150 Thomas Cook cabin crew who were abroad when the company ceased trading.

More than 70 flights are scheduled to operate today, September 26, to bring back a further 16,000 people.

The CAA’s programme continues until Sunday 6 October with more than 1,000 flights planned in total.

Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We have flown home around 46,000 people in the first three days of our operation and around 95 per cent of people have flown home on their original departure date with Thomas Cook.

“We have now also contacted over 2,000 hotels to enable ATOL protected holidaymakers staying there to have peace of mind and enjoy the rest of their holiday without losing out financially.

“If a hotel demands extra payments from ATOL protected holidaymakers, we would encourage them not to pay, and to call our helpline on +44 1753 330 330.

“We will not rest until we bring everyone home who is due to complete their holiday on or before 6 October.”

Thomas Cook customers are reminded to check the dedicated website for further information at thomascook.caa.co.uk