AROUND 150,000 Brits' holidays are in turmoil after the travel giant collapsed - and the rescue mission could take up to a fortnight.

All Thomas Cook flights to and from the UK have been cancelled, forcing the government to launch the UK's biggest repatriation since World War Two.

A rescue fleet of more than 40 jumbos will bring 150,000 stranded holidaymakers back to Britain.

The company’s 21,000 employees, including 9,000 in the UK, have been made redundant.

The 178-year-old British travel firm had until 11.59pm last night to pay the £200million it owed its creditors or else they'd go under.

Travellers expecting to board Thomas Cook planes in the UK today have been told to stay at home as ALL flights are grounded permanently.

The final Thomas Cook plane in operation landed at Manchester Airport at 5am this morning after taking off from Orlando, Florida.

Announcing it was ceasing trading, Thomas Cook said on its website: "All future flights and holidays are cancelled."

The brief statement added: "A dedicated support service is being provided by The Civil Aviation Authority to assist customers overseas and those in the UK with future bookings."

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