Keep Thomas Cook flying call

Unite called on the UK government yesterday (Sepember 20) to intervene and ensure the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) does not remove Thomas Cook airline’s operating licence.

The union, which represents nearly 3,000 cabin crew and engineers at Thomas Cook’s airline, stressed that airline is viable both financially and operationally and warned that the removal of it operator licence would be nothing short of ‘economic vandalism.’

“We are deeply concerned about the current situation at Thomas Cook, particularly any moves by the government or the Civil Aviation Authority that would lead to the business and airline ceasing to operate,” commented Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland.

“It is clearly in the best interests of the employees, customers and the taxpayer for the airline to continue operate. This is viable, profitable business with a world class workforce. Any revoking of its operating licence would be an act of economic vandalism, the bill for which would needlessly land on the shoulders of UK taxpayers.”

Holland continued, “We call on government ministers to secure a better outcome for the travelling public, employees and the taxpayer by not revoking or suspending the operator licence for Thomas Cook airlines. It is in their remit to do so, and it would ensure that there is the ability for the company continue as a sustainable business.”

Today, September 21, Labour’s BEIS shadow secretary Rebecca Long Bailey, said, “This is yet more evidence of this government’s indifference to British jobs and businesses going under.

“All viable options must be explored by Thomas Cook and the government must consider stepping in and taking an equity stake to avoid this crisis.”

She added, “Refusing to do so is ideological shortsightedness: the government faces a simple choice between a £200m government cash injection to save the company now versus a £600m bill to repatriate UK holidaymakers.”