The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s two-week flying programme ended last night with the last flight touching down at London Luton Airport at just after 03:30 on Monday 16 October. The flight from Tel Aviv with 122 passengers on board brought to a close the programme that was launched in response to the Monarch Airlines administration. The final day included 23 flights with seats for 4,500 people from 20 destinations.
According to a press release issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) the 24/7 CAA operation saw more than 60 aircraft, from 27 global airlines involved in the programme, with support from many government departments and agencies, a wide range of aviation industry operators and businesses at home and abroad. During the operation, almost 85,000 people flew to six airports in the UK, from more than 30 destinations in 14 countries across the Mediterranean and beyond, including Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Sweden and Israel. In total, the operation has flown more than 1.5 million miles.
Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This has been a phenomenal challenge and one that has required the cooperation and support of many businesses, government departments and individuals. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has played their part. Completing this unique two week flying programme has only been possible because of the dedication and commitment of so many people.
The last repatriation flight from Cyprus left Larnaca Airport yesterday at 14:30 local time and landed at Birmingham Airport at 17:15. The British Airways flight was operated by Qatar Airways and combined two Monarch flights operating on the same day: one to London Gatwick and one to Birmingham. Representatives of CAA met the passengers who were due to return to London at arrivals and directed them to the coaches which took them to Gatwick Airport.
While the main repatriation programme has now ended, the CAA is proactively contacting all 1,000 ATOL protected passengers still abroad in order to arrange alternative flights to get them home when their trip has ended. Our dedicated website ‘monarch.caa.co.uk’ will remain online with additional information for passengers still abroad.
