Thomas Cook announced earlier this week it has entered into liquidation after the Government has refused to bailout the travel firm. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said there are currently more than 150,000 British customers on Thomas Cook holidays abroad. An estimated million more have lost their future bookings – but is Thomas Cook the same as TUI? Are TUI holidays affected?
Thomas Cook and TUI are separate companies, however, a select number of TUI holidays use Thomas Cook flights.
TUI has information on its website for customers affected and a statement on the TUI website on the Thomas Cook collapse reads:
“We were sorry to learn that the UK tour operator and airline Thomas Cook has been placed into administration.
“We really feel for everyone affected by this announcement including customers on holiday, anyone due to travel with them and of course also their employees.
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Thomas Cook and TUI: Is Thomas Cook the same as TUI? Are TUI flights affected? (Image: GETTY)
“As we offer a small selection of TUI holidays featuring Thomas Cook flights, as well as selling a small number of Thomas Cook holidays through our stores, we’re now working alongside the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to assist affected customers.
“The CAA will now be responsible for operating relief flights to repatriate customers currently on holiday whose flights have been cancelled as close to their original departure time as possible.
“We will be offering any necessary support where we can. If you are currently on a TUI, Marella Cruises or First Choice holiday and were due to return home on a Thomas Cook flight, please visit thomascook.caa.co.uk for the relevant and up to date information for your new travel plans.
“As more information becomes available our teams in resort will be in touch to update you, however, customers should continue to enjoy their holidays.
Read More: Thomas Cook collapse: Why has Thomas Cook collapsed?
Thomas Cook and TUI: Those travelling out of the UK in the next few days are advised not to head to the airport as flights are cancelled (Image: GETTY)
“Customers on holiday can also contact the dedicated 24-hour helpline: +44 1753 330 330 from overseas.
“As a result of this announcement we, unfortunately, had to cancel TUI, Marella Cruises and First Choice bookings featuring Thomas Cook flights for any customers due to travel from Monday, September 23 until October 31.
“The advice is not to travel to the airport.
“We will be organising full holiday refunds for these customers and will process these as quickly as possible.
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Thomas Cook: The company has seen their share price collapse in the past year (Image: NC)
“For any TUI, Marella Cruises and First Choice customers with Thomas Cook flights due to travel after this date, please bear with us as we look at other options and alternatives for you as a priority.”
TUI also states: “Any customers who have booked a TUI holiday through a Thomas Cook store we can confirm these will go ahead.”
For Thomas Cook customers, those due to leave the UK are advised not to travel to the airport as all flights have been cancelled as of Monday, September 23.
Those already abroad will be flown home by the CAA, who is working alongside the government to ensure the repatriation of holidaymakers.
However, repatriation flights will only be operating for the next two weeks – until October 6, 2019 – so anyone flying back to the UK after this date will have to make their own arrangements.
The full details for customers can be found on the CAA website, here.
Thomas Cook and TUI: Some TUI holidays use TUI flights, and TUI are working with the CAA to resolve any issues (Image: GETTY)
All future Thomas Cook bookings have been cancelled, affecting around one million people.
Among those suffering disrupted are Lewis and Amy Bromiley from Manchester, who have paid £7,000 for a honeymoon in the Maldives in January.
Mr Bromiley, 25, told PA: “Me and my wife are devastated.”
He added: “We’ll have to wait for the refund which could takes months.”
Thomas Cook and TUI: Customers are devastated their holidays have been cancelled (Image: GETTY)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson questioned why the state should be left responsible for the actions of handsomely paid directors and said tour operators should have some sort of insurance against such debacles.
Speaking in New York Mr Johnson said: “I have questions for one about whether it’s right that the directors, or whoever, the board, should pay themselves large sums when businesses can go down the tubes like that.
“You need to have some system by which tour operators properly insure themselves against this kind of eventuality,”
Thomas Cook was brought down by a $2.1 billion debt pile, built up by a series of ill-fated deals, that hobbled its response to online rivals.
It had to sell three million holidays a year just to cover interest payments.
Thomas Cook and TUI: Statement from Thomas Cook on the collapse (Image: THOMAS COOK)
James Egerton-Stanbridge and his wife Kim were due to fly from Gatwick to Egypt for a holiday of a lifetime to celebrate her 60th birthday.
The couple, from Felixstowe, in Suffolk, said they were due to spend 10 nights in Hurghada with trips to Cairo and Luxor as part of a holiday package worth around £2,500.
Mr Egerton-Stanbridge said they had wanted to go to Egypt for years, he added: “I feel very disappointed.
“Kim was crying this morning, we’re devastated.”
Mrs Egerton-Stanbridge added: “I’m upset. I have had this planned all year, now I have two weeks of doing nothing. I have wanted to go to Egypt for years.”