Travel group Thomas Cook announced today that it has ceased all operations effective immediately, including Thomas Cook Airlines.
‘The UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect and all future flights and holidays are cancelled,’ the Thomas Cook website announced.
We are sorry to announce that Thomas Cook has ceased trading with immediate effect.
This account will not be monitored.
Please visit https://t.co/WWiKkzLYQJ for further advice and information.#ThomasCook pic.twitter.com/Nf1X3jn97x
— Thomas Cook (@ThomasCookUK) September 23, 2019
The company has gone into compulsory liquidation, and the UK’s insolvency services have taken control of the business. The group is currently looking into repatriation for travellers.
‘The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority are now working together to do everything we can to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between 23 September 2019 and 6 October 2019,’ the Group announced in a statement. ‘Depending on your location, this will be either on CAA-operated flights or by using existing flights with other airlines.’
Cancelled flights outbound from the UK, however, are not included in the repatriation efforts.
According to the Guardian, 150,000 travellers and holidaymakers have been affected by the Thomas Cook collapse. Of course, the company’s demise will have widespread implications for staff and investors alike. Amid questions as to why the British government hasn’t committed to bailing out the company, some feel that Brexit negotiations and new Prime Minister Boris Johnson are to blame for the industry’s loss.
The company’s namesake, Briton Thomas Cook, founded the enterprise and conducted the first tour when he arranged a train journey for 500 passengers from Leicester to Loughborough on 5 July 1841. Nearly two centuries later, travellers and those who’ve grown up with the industry heavyweight are saddened to hear of the company’s collapse.
Vera Nagtegaal, Executive Head of Hippo.co.za, advises flyers to do their research into travel insurance policies when booking flights and before leaving home.
Various types of travel insurance exist depending on your needs, but not all policies cover all of them, such as the basic form of travel insurance provided by your bank when purchasing an air ticket using your credit card. In the event that flights are cancelled, as in this instance, the correct policy can ensure that you’ll have a plan without being left stranded or to foot another hefty flight bill.
See some of the mixed responses on the matter from social media:
Staff employed by Thomas Cook are threatened with redundancy while British holiday makers risk left being stranded overseas.The government failed to inject the £200m needed to save the company, and now it faces a £600m bill to repatriate holiday makers.Disgraceful!
— Rebecca Long-Bailey (@RLong_Bailey) September 23, 2019
The mentality of this Government.
Don’t spend £200m and possibly save Thomas Cook and 20,000 jobs. People’s livelihoods don’t matter.
Pay instead, £150m to repatriate people stuck abroad.
Pay £100m on their appalling
“Get ready for Brexit on October 31” campaign.— Adam S. Business Owner,Anti-Brexit Campaigner#FBPE (@Adam_SH69) September 23, 2019
#ThomasCook staff on last flight #ThomasCookcollapse pic.twitter.com/ZQKSDipC0k
— Feliz Karen News (@felizkrennews) September 23, 2019
What began on 5th July 1841 with a train journey from Leicester to Loughborough ends in the next half an hour or so when the final ever Thomas Cook flight lands at Terminal 1 of Manchester Airport, completing its journey from Orlando. End of an era. pic.twitter.com/WQY0bKWV2m
— Peter Ruddick (@ruddick) September 23, 2019
RIP #ThomasCook your leg room ruled! pic.twitter.com/TKJUREu7nD
— Russellmania 🏴 (@russell_bfmv) September 23, 2019
Image: Thomas Cook Airlines via Twitter
