9/23/2019: Thomas Cook Airlines Ceases Operations

DALLAS — Today, in 2019, Thomas Cook Airlines (MT) ceased operations as its parent company entered compulsory liquidation. The shutdown canceled Thomas Cook flights and holidays, leaving an estimated 150,000 UK customers abroad.

The airline's last revenue flight, TCX2643, arrived at Manchester Airport (MAN) from Orlando International Airport (MCO) on the morning of September 23. It was flown by Airbus A330-200 G-MLJL. The UK Civil Aviation Authority began Operation Matterhorn that day to bring Thomas Cook customers home, calling it Britain's largest peacetime repatriation. The operation was larger than the one that followed Monarch Airlines' closure in 2017.

A Rescue That Did Not Close

In August, Thomas Cook Group announced key commercial terms for a proposed £900 million recapitalization. Fosun Tourism Group was to contribute £450 million; the group's banks and bondholders targeted another £450 million. The proposal still required binding agreements and other approvals.

By September 20, Thomas Cook said the negotiations included a request for a further £200 million seasonal standby facility. The parties did not complete the rescue before the group entered liquidation three days later.

Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A330-200 G-MLJL on the ground — Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A330-200 G-MLJL, which operated the airline's last revenue flight. Photo: Aero Pixels from England/CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From JMC Air to Thomas Cook

The airline's lineage was far shorter than the travel company's 178-year history. Flying Colours and Caledonian Airways combined as JMC Air in 2000. It took the Thomas Cook Airlines name in 2003, and MyTravel Airways merged into the airline in 2008.

Featured image: Johann Heske/Airways