This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
Thomas Cook Collapse Leaves Thousands Jobless and Stranded ¶
Thomas Cook, the world's oldest travel firm, has collapsed, leaving at least 21,000 people jobless and over half a million holidaymakers stranded. The collapse was announced on September 23, 2019, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launching a repatriation program to bring Thomas Cook customers back to the UK.
According to Reuters, Thomas Cook started in 1841 running local rail excursions before pioneering the package holiday and growing into one of the world's largest tour operators. The firm ran hotels, resorts, and airlines for 19 million travelers per year in 16 countries, generating revenue of 9.6 billion pounds (Ksh.1.2 trillion) in 2018.
Thomas Cook CEO Peter Fankhauser said, 'We have not been able to secure a deal to save our business.'
The UK CAA has asked the British government to launch a repatriation program over the next two weeks, from Monday to October 6, to bring Thomas Cook customers back to the UK. The authority has also been working to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates.
Some reactions to the collapse include:
- 'Devastated that I will no longer be able to do the job I love anymore, forever thankful for Thomas Cook and all the opportunities it's given me.' - Ellie Seymour
- 'Another sleepless night while I wait to hear confirmation I have no job after 20 years.' - HairyPotter
- 'This is so sad. My girlfriend is asleep expecting to work tomorrow instead we now have to worry about paying the mortgage, a 2-year-old nursery fees, Christmas around the corner, food shopping on just my wage now.' - Danny
- 'To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement. Landed from Antalya to see every Thomas Cook aircraft next to each other knowing it was the end of the best 4 years.' - Abi
- 'Ironic that Thomas Cook has collapsed after RBS demanded they find another £200m to pay back their debts. The same RBS who needed £45bn from the government to continue to exist 10 years ago, and who have also said they'd never pay that back.' - Marc
- 'Thomas Cook is a great example of a
