Chris Grayling orders 'largest peacetime repatriation' as Monarch failure leaves Brits stranded

Emilio Casalicchio

Chris Grayling last night ordered the “biggest ever peacetime repatriation” to bring British holiday-makers home after airline Monarch dramatically ceased trading.



The Transport Secretary told the Civil Aviation Authority to step in and help 110,000 stranded passengers who were enjoying their breaks abroad.

Monarch cancelled all its future bookings as it became the biggest UK airline ever to go into administration

It had been in last-ditch talks with the CAA about renewing its licence to sell package holidays – but failed to reach a deal by midnight last night.

The CAA will charter more than 30 aircraft to bring passengers home after they were told not to go to airports.

Mr Grayling said: "This is a hugely distressing situation for British holidaymakers abroad - and my first priority is to help them get back to the UK.

"That is why I have immediately ordered the country's biggest ever peacetime repatriation to fly about 110,000 passengers who could otherwise have been left stranded abroad."

The Government warned passengers to expect delays and disruption, while the CAA said the “vast