Thomas Cook collapse: Scottish flights cancelled leaving holiday makers stranded

Thomas Cook flights in and out of Glasgow Airport have been cancelled after the holiday firm collapsed in the early hours of this morning.
Thomas Cook collapse: Scottish flights cancelled leaving holiday makers stranded.Thomas Cook collapse: Scottish flights cancelled leaving holiday makers stranded.
Thomas Cook collapse: Scottish flights cancelled leaving holiday makers stranded.

The last Thomas Cook flight expected to arrive in Glasgow - from Orlando in Florida - landed at 05:50, according to the BBC.

The broadcaster sais that three later arrivals have been cancelled - and three scheduled departures grounded.

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Speaking to BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme Paul McLennan, who was meant to be travelling to Orlando from Glasgow on Monday morning, said: "I booked in yesterday and was told everything was OK then we came up to the airport this morning and got this.

"I've got no idea what we are going to do now. This holiday has been booked for nearly two years so to say I'm scunnered is an understatement."

Another passenger, from Kilmarnock, was also meant to be catching the 10:35 flight to Orlando for a two-week holiday with his family, said: "I woke up at about two o' clock and read all the news everywhere. Absolutely gutted but there's nothing you can do. I feel for the employees as well. It's a terrible time for everyone.

"I just wasn't expecting this to happen to such a big company."

"We booked through a separate company and they are currently trying to find us alternatives right now," he said.

"Hopefully we can get something today, if not, the closest they'll do. It's all you can ask for really.

"We are going to Florida. We'll be there at some point, If it's not today, it's tomorrow. We'll be there."

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Thomas Cook collapse: 150,000 Brits stranded abroad as holiday firm folds

Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) president Ken McLeod said: “This is a terrible day, not just for the UK travel industry, but on a global scale as well for the most renowned name in travel.

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Our first thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this, whether they are holidaymakers, staff or affected third parties such travel agents, hotels and other suppliers.

“We know that our own member agencies up and down the country are working very hard to assist customers who are currently on holiday with Thomas Cook and who have booked to travel in the future. It is obviously a worrying time for all concerned, but one of the key roles of a travel agent is to act on behalf of customers in times of crisis.

“The only positive that we can take from this is that it once again the situation demonstrates the importance of consumer protection, in this case the ATOL scheme which ensures that no (MOST) British travellers (SHOULDN’T) be left out of pocket or stranded overseas.

“The repatriation by the CAA, code-named Operation Matterhorn, of tens of thousands of Thomas Cook customers will be a massive effort – beyond even the scale of the operation that was triggered following the collapse of Monarch Airlines in 2017.

“While the majority of package holidays are protected by ATOL, many customers who have booked flight only will not be afforded that same kind of protection. As an organisation, SPAA has long championed the introduction of a total transport passenger levy to offset the cost of repatriation should an airline or tour operators go bust.

“The DfT’s airline insolvency review published earlier this year also recommended this approach. The current situation with Thomas Cook reinforces the need for such a scheme and a timeline for its introduction to be moved up.”