The 120,000 UK holidaymakers still stranded after the collapse of Thomas Cook are being advised to “enjoy the rest of their stay” amid continuing demands for payments by resorts.
The message came in an update from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is leading the £100m repatriation effort.
It advised customers to still expect a flight home on the day of their original departure or “shortly thereafter”.
Chaos has been reported at some destinations as hotels and residences demand payments for allowing Thomas Cook guests to stay.
That is despite 60% of the people affected being on ATOL-protected packages, which guarantee that bills are fully covered.
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Customers and former Thomas Cook staff were also being prevented from leaving Cuba because of hotel demands for immediate payment.
The British ambassador tweeted overnight that the difficulties should now have been resolved.
Dr Antony Stokes wrote on Twitter: “Urgent for #ThomasCook customers: hotels in #Cuba now have authority/instruction to allow customers, and air crew, to depart without paying (on basis of ATOL guarantee).
“Very grateful for patience of all affected in distressing circumstances.”
The CAA said a fifth of customers abroad at the time of Thomas Cook’s demise had now been brought home as part of the repatriation effort – Operation Matterhorn.
It said 70 flights had brought back more than 14,000 passengers on Tuesday, and it was hoped 16,500 people would return on Wednesday.
Richard Moriarty, CAA chief executive, said: “We have now operated over 130 flights in the first two days of this operation, returning almost 30,000 people to the UK.
“So far, we are flying home 95% of people on their original date of departure at the end of their holiday.
“I would like those remaining on holiday to enjoy the rest of their stay because we aim to also fly you home on the day when you were originally booked to fly with Thomas Cook, or very shortly thereafter.”
The CAA issued its update as questions continued to be asked of the company’s management, auditors and regulators – similar to those raised over the collapse of construction group Carillion in early 2018.
Debt-laden Thomas Cook’s demise has prompted demands from Labour that bonuses are returned by bosses.
The Times reported on Wednesday that court documents filed by its now former chief executive, Peter Fankhauser, highlighted a balance sheet deficit of £3.1bn – the majority made up of debt and payment guarantees.
The group’s 9,000 UK employees, who lost their jobs on Monday, face having to claim for back pay from the Official Receiver.
