Local travel firms offer assistance to stricken passengers
THOMAS COOK customers are being offered help from local travel companies.
Aurigny, Blue Islands and Co-operative Travelmaker have all issued statements to ease the minds of those affected by the firm’s collapse.
Both Aurigny and Blue Islands have offered to waive change fees or differences in fares and offered to let customers put flights on hold for up to six months.
The Co-operative Travelmaker said: ‘If you’ve booked a Thomas Cook, Manos or Airtours holiday through Travelmaker, please don’t worry – you’re protected with Abta and Atol bonding and our travel advisors will guide you through the process,’ they said.
‘Please be patient as our immediate focus is on assisting customers who are currently in resort.’
Thomas Cook confirmed that all their UK companies in its group ceased trading yesterday, following the failure to secure an extra £200 million needed to keep the business afloat, including Thomas Cook Airlines.
As a result, they informed customers that all holidays and flights provided by these companies have been cancelled and are no longer operating. All Thomas Cook’s retail shops, which are said to be around 600 throughout the UK, have also closed.
The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority are now working together to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between 23 September 2019 and 6 October 2019.
Package holiday customers will see the cost of their accommodation covered by the government, through the Air Travel Trust Fund or Atol scheme, which is costing around £100 million in total.
Thomas Cook Group’s closure has affected around 21,000 employees in 16 countries and left around 150,000 Britons abroad awaiting repatriation.
. Aurigny has advised its customers to contact the airline on 267267 once their other Thomas Cook package elements have been updated in order to re-book onto another flight on the same route.
. Blue Islands has asked customers to contact its customer care team on 01234 589200 or email customercare@blueislands.com.
. Co-operative Travelmaker has said customers should call on 201250 or email info.travel@channelislands.coop.
