Unprecedented chaos and many frustrated Thomas Cook customers at the airport of the island of Corfu after the company’s collapse that cancelled flights to and from UK. Many did not know about the collapse. They complained about the lack of information regarding their repatriation.
Dozens of holidaymakers flocked to the airport to get on board for the flight home. They were surprised to hear about the collapse and the annulled flights.
Many posted on social media and expressed their frustration and anger.
Thomas Cook queue in Corfu pic.twitter.com/yuKbYxEeir
— Michael (@michaeltreasure) September 23, 2019
Stuck in Corfu Aiportband it is crazy here. The first replacement flight got cancelled and the second was delayed. Then got told to queue up to check in (1) #ThomasCook
— Lucy (@LucyAbigaill) September 23, 2019
The scene inside the terminal building at Corfu airport, as passengers wait to check in for the #ThomasCook replacement flight to Manchester pic.twitter.com/OpLxGhXkDl
— Michael Andrews (@mytentoryours) September 23, 2019
I have a flight at 08.35 this morning to Corfu with Tui. My flight home next week is with Thomas Cook, I booked with https://t.co/tUktyZ2Pyd. they say if I don't go this morning I lose my flight and accommodation. But they have offered no alternative return. What do I do?
— Karen Watson (@KazzaW50) September 23, 2019
While, it looks as if the first repatriation airplanes chartered by the British Civil Aviation arrived on the island, travelers remain in the dark and uncertainty.
Currently at Corfu airport
As advised, arrived 3 hours before the #ThomasCook replacement flight the @UK_CAA said we would be flown home on
Still no word from staff about whether we’ll be able to board a flight – Let alone when we’ll be able to board it
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) September 23, 2019
No official announcement but staff are now telling passengers at Corfu airport that the #ThomasCook replacement planes are severely delayed and might not have the capacity to take everyone home
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) September 23, 2019
Stuck in Corfu Aiportband it is crazy here. The first replacement flight got cancelled and the second was delayed. Then got told to queue up to check in (1) #ThomasCook
— Lucy (@LucyAbigaill) September 23, 2019
According to local hoteliers, it is estimated that there are currently 3,000 Thomas Cook customers on Corfu.
Also passengers on the island of Kos have complained about the delays and the lack of information with regards to the replacement flights.
Stood at Kos airport for 4.5 hours waiting for a CAa flight home. No seats, no information, no reps from CAA to explain the delay. Thanks Thomas Cook, RBS etc management. Only MPs lower in my opinion
— Malcolm D Smith (@malcolm_d_smith) September 23, 2019
Stuck on Kos. Plane to Manchester should have left 2 hours ago (13:20). Been at airport 5 hours now. Gatwick flight now boarding which should depart 2 hours after us! He ho! #ThomasCook
— Tony Glennon (@TonyGlennon) September 23, 2019
Complaints are coming also from travelers on the island of Zakynthos/Zante.
@loveholidays we are due to fly out of #Zante at 00.35 . Nothing is showing in the departures as our @ThomasCookUK flight was cancelled at 10.45 . We Just need some confirmation so we have time to find accommodation if not.
— Haddz on DLive [thePOD- network group] (@_Haddz) September 23, 2019
According to local tour operators, some 4,000 British tourists are currently on Zakynthos on a Thomas Cook ticket.
Regarding the some 20,000 customers currently on the island of Crete, the head of Herakleio airport said that the first six flights are schedule to depart on Tuesday night, Sept 24, 2019. The first flight will depart at 09:00 pm, the last at 1 0′ clock after midnight. He estimated that 1,000 travelers will depart tomorrow.
Greek Tourism Minister, Haris Theoharis, said on Monday morning that 22,000 Thomas Cook customers were to be repatriated in the next three days. Expected are a total of 15 aircraft, so that the repatriation of the holdaymakers runs as smooth as possible.
He estimated that approximately 50,000 Thomas Cook holidaymakers are currently in Greece, the mjaority of them on the islands of Crete, Zakynthos, Kos, Corfu and Skiathos.
The President of the Hoteliers on SKiathos estimated that some 1,800-2,000 British tourists are on the Spoorades islands.
So far, KTG has no infromation about repatriation flights from Skiathos and the Sporades.
The company has more than 1,000 employees in Greece. As of today, they turn unemployed.
Stranded in Greece after the Thomas Cook collapse and do not know what to do? Check here.
