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Holiday flights for Thomas Cook package travelers.
Founded
2003
Headquarters
Luton, United Kingdom
Thomas Cook Airlines was the charter and leisure airline arm of the Thomas Cook Group, one of the world's oldest and largest travel companies. Operating as a British leisure carrier, it primarily served sun-seeking holidaymakers flying to Mediterranean, Caribbean, and long-haul destinations from airports across the United Kingdom.
The airline flew under IATA code MT and ICAO code TCX, using the radio callsign KESTREL. It operated a fleet of Airbus narrowbody and widebody aircraft, carrying millions of passengers annually as part of Thomas Cook's vertically integrated holiday business.
Thomas Cook Airlines ceased operations on 23 September 2019, when its parent company Thomas Cook Group collapsed into compulsory liquidation. This triggered one of the largest peacetime repatriation efforts in UK history, with the Civil Aviation Authority coordinating flights to bring approximately 150,000 stranded British holidaymakers home.
Hubs & network
Thomas Cook Airlines operated primarily from Manchester Airport and London Gatwick, with additional bases at Birmingham, Glasgow, and Bristol.
Fleet
The airline operated a fleet of Airbus A320 family narrowbody aircraft and Airbus A330 widebody jets for long-haul routes.
Notable facts
- ›Thomas Cook Airlines collapsed on 23 September 2019 alongside its parent Thomas Cook Group.
- ›The airline's collapse triggered the UK's largest peacetime repatriation operation, codenamed Operation Matterhorn.
- ›It was formed in 2003 through the merger of several Thomas Cook-owned carriers including JMC Airlines.
- ›At its peak the airline carried around 6 million passengers per year.
- ›The Thomas Cook brand itself dates back to 1841, making it one of the oldest names in travel history.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
