Following the collapse of Thomas Cook, The Ysgol Ddawns Anti Karen group has lost over £12,000 in travel deposits after booking a flight to dance on Broadway. Owner Karen Pritchard had raised concerns over the company’s finances, but the Brand Ambassador of Thomas Cook had reassured her that this was merely ‘media speculation’. Mrs. Pritchard said that her and her team were ‘devastated’ by what was not only a huge disappointment to the students who were anticipating the chance to perform on the famous stage, but was also an extreme financial blow to the school which lacked travel insurance.
Over 150,000 Britons were stranded abroad by the sudden liquidation of Thomas Cook, many of whom were forced to pay a premium for alternative flights home due to airlines inflating their prices. Airline Jet2.com, for example, trebled some of their prices following Thomas Cook’s collapse. Jet2.com justified the price rise by saying that that the increase of costs is an ‘inevitable consequence’ of reduced supply and heightened demand.
While most travel insurance providers do not provide cover for the failure of an airline, tour operator, or travel agent, you may not be left out of pocket if you have purchased a package holiday from Thomas Cook. The ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s License) that Thomas Cook holds, means that they are responsible for overseas flight and accommodation arrangements. The Civil Aviation Authority are currently working to ensure that holidaymakers are able to return to the UK as soon as possible.
