Thomas Cook holidaymakers to be returned from Gambia – BBC News

Thomas Cook holidaymakers to be returned from Gambia – BBC News

Posted by John P. Bradford // January 18, 2017

---

Image copyright PA

Thousands of Thomas Cook holidaymakers will be returned to the UK from Gambia after the Foreign Office changed travel advice to the west African country.

The firm plans to bring home 985 customers from package holidays over the next 48 hours.

Another 2,500 flight-only customers will be offered the “earliest available flight”.

The Foreign Office now advises against all but essential travel, based upon the risk of unrest in Gambia.

A 90-day state of emergency has been declared in the west African country over disputed elections.

In a statement, Thomas Cook said: “We will operate a programme of additional flights into Banjul airport over the next 48 hours to bring the 985 UK customers we currently have on holiday in Gambia home, including four additional flights on Wednesday 18 January.

“In addition, we have approximately 2,500 flight-only customers in Gambia, whom we are contacting to offer the earliest possible flight availability for return to the UK.”

The travel company is sending a special assistance team on the first flight from the UK to provide additional support for customers.

“Our colleagues on the ground in Gambia will proactively contact all customers on holiday with us as soon as possible to prepare for return to the UK,” the statement continued.

Image copyright Reuters

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency a day before his official mandate ends.

He decried “extraordinary” foreign interference in his country’s affairs and in December’s presidential election.

Regional leaders have been trying without success to persuade Mr Jammeh to hand over power to Adama Barrow, who won the vote.

Mr Barrow, a successful property developer, reportedly once worked as a security guard at Argos in north London.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises “against all but essential travel to the Gambia due to ongoing political uncertainty and potential military intervention following the presidential elections”.

People should leave the country by commercial means if they have no essential need to stay, it adds.

Thomas Cook is offering free amendments or cancellations for holidays to Gambia scheduled until Friday, and free amendments after that date.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38659120