The 'largest repatriation effort in British history' has been launched in response to the collapse of Thomas Cook.
The travel firm has entered compulsory liquidation after last-minute talks to save the company failed, resulting in all Thomas Cook flights and holidays being cancelled.
More than 150,000 Brits have been left stranded around the world and 9,000 people could lose their jobs in the UK as a result of the collapse of the world's oldest travel firm.
The Government is working with the Civil Aviation Authority to bring Thomas Cook customers still abroad back home to the UK.
Those currently overseas should check thomascook.caa.co.uk for advice and only go to the airport once they have their alternative flight confirmed.
Have you been affected by the Thomas Cook chaos? Email [email protected].
The effort, named Operation Matterhorn, will be the largest repatriation effort in peacetime history, even bigger than when Monarch Airlines collapsed in 2017.
The CAA has gathered dozens of chartered planes from around the world to transport stranded Brits back home over the next two weeks.
It is understood the process could cost the taxpayer more than £100million.
Holidaymakers with return flights booked within the next two weeks, between today and October 6, will qualify for a free flight home.
The CAA will launch a service enabling passengers to apply for refunds on September 30.
Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the CAA, said his organisation was working with the Government to carry out the 'UK's largest ever peacetime repatriation'.
He added: “News of Thomas Cook's collapse is deeply saddening for the company's employees and customers, and we appreciate that more than 150,000 people currently abroad will be anxious about how they will now return to the UK.
“We have launched, at very short notice, what is effectively one of the UK's largest airlines, involving a fleet of aircraft secured from around the world.
"The nature and scale of the operation means that unfortunately some disruption will be inevitable. We ask customers to bear with us as we work around the clock to bring them home.
“We urge anyone affected by this news to check our dedicated website, thomascook.caa.co.uk , for advice and information.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said dozens of charter planes, from as far afield as Malaysia, had been hired to fly customers home free of charge and hundreds of people were working in call centres and at airports.
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