Nearly 15,000 Thomas Cook customers have been repatriated following the travel company’s collapse, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said.

The CAA completed 64 flights on the first day of the operation, bringing 14,700 people back to the UK.

It is expected to bring back 16,800 people on 74 flights on Tuesday.

Nearly 15,000 Thomas Cook customers have been repatriated following the travel company’s collapse, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said.

The CAA completed 64 flights on the first day of the operation, bringing 14,700 people back to the UK.

The tour operator has ceased trading with immediate effect after failing in a final bid to secure a rescue package from creditors.

Thomas Cook also operated around 600 UK high street stores, including branches in Bexleyheath, Eltham, Orpington and Lewisham.

More than 150,000 British holidaymakers are currently abroad and will need to be repatriated as a result of the 178-year-old firm's collapse, the Civil Aviation Authority said.

The CAA said in a statement: "All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays, have now been cancelled. There are currently more than 150,000 Thomas Cook customers abroad, almost twice the number that were repatriated following the failure of Monarch.

"We know that a company with such long-standing history ceasing trading will be very distressing for its customers and employees and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this news."