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Monarch repatriation begins
A massive repatriation effort has begun to bring back 110,000 Monarch passengers currently overseas.
Monarch went into administration at 4am this morning, bringing an end to its 50-year history.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling described it as the UK’s ‘biggest ever peacetime repatriation’.
ABTA is urging those customers abroad not to panic and cut short their stay, saying the CAA has begun a programme of repatriation over the next two weeks.
"The CAA have advised that for customers not due to return immediately, there is no requirement to cut short their stay," it said.
The CAA has set up special sections on its website with advice, including a page for travel agents. https://monarch.caa.co.uk/trade-information/travel-agents/
ABTA said it would be providing its members with the most up to date guidance and information.
It also promised to help guide customers through the process of either continuing with their holiday, recovering their money, or rebooking.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "This will be an anxious and distressing time for Monarch staff, customers and industry colleagues.
"As the Government undertakes its programme of repatriating passengers who are overseas, ABTA will assist in whatever way we can. Information on our website will help customers and members to navigate through the process of either making a claim or continuing with holiday plans."
It has set up a special web page –
abta.com/monarch – dedicated to helping both customers and members.
"As there are a number of different companies involved, what customers should do next will depend on what kind of travel arrangement they have booked and with whom," it advised.
The website details specific guidance for customers in relation to each individual company.
The Government has also set up a special number for Monarch customers – 0300 303 2800 if calling from the UK or +44 1753 330 330 if calling from outside the UK.
Another 300,000 future bookings have been made with the Monarch.
Those who booked packages will be protected under the ATOL scheme, but flight-only customers will have to go through other routes, such as supplier failure insurance or claiming back from their credit card company.
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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