TRAVEL giant Thomas Cook is in the firing line from irate holidaymakers after pulling the plug on trips to Cape Verde this summer because of a lack of demand.

They began contacting holidaymakers this week to say that flights and holiday packages booked between May and November had been cancelled for “commercial reasons”.

4 Thomas Cook has pulled the plug on trips to Cape Verde this summer because of a lack of demand Credit: Alamy

Some holidaymakers were furious as they bagged Black Friday bargains and said they can now no longer afford a more expensive alternative.

Others say they are struggling to get new breaks that match the time they booked off work.

Customers who booked a package holiday have been offered a refund or an alternative holiday with a £30 discount per person, others who just booked the flight will only receive a refund.

The carrier is the latest travel firm to cancel routes after Ryanair caused outrage last year when it announced planes to a string of destinations were being grounded.

4 Flights and holiday packages booked between May and November have been cancelled for 'commercial reasons' Credit: Alamy

The destination – where travellers pay around £1,000-a-week for an all-inclusive stay – is becoming increasingly popular with Brits looking for a cheaper alternative to the Caribbean.

The African islands – off the coast of Senegal in the Atlantic Ocean - are also starring on television this week.

The finale of E4 show Celebs Go Dating, featuring the likes of the likes of Mike “Muggy Mike” Thalassitis, Sam Thompson and Gemma Collins, was filmed at the exotic holiday destination.

Outraged Thomas Cook travellers have been taking to social media to express their outrage that their summer holidays were being shelved.

4 Customers who booked a package holiday have been offered a refund or an alternative holiday with a £30 discount per person Credit: AFP - Getty

Enrique said on Twitter: “Just spoke to customer services at Thomas cook airlines regarding my cancelled flight to Sal Cape Verde to check on when all my money will be refunded.

"Was was informed that there is no chance of getting any compensation so it will be Tui from now on.”

He was told by the travel agent: “Hi Enrique, I'm really sorry that we've had to cancel your flight. We regularly review our flying programme to help meet customer demands and unfortunately we have decided to cancel flights to Cape Verde as a result of this.”

4 The finale of E4 show Celebs Go Dating, featuring the likes of the likes of Mike “Muggy Mike” Thalassitis, Sam Thompson and Gemma Collins, was filmed at the exotic holiday destination Credit: Channel 4

Another traveller called Colin wrote: “Thomas cook have cancelled all Cape Verde holidays saying it’s within their right [and] I can have a refund.

"[But] I booked early on a Black Friday and now all the bargains have gone. Just seems unfair they can do what they want.”

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A Thomas Cook spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “We’ve stopped our Cape Verde flight for this summer due to low demand, and we’re very sorry for the inconvenience to our customers who have already booked.

"We are contacting everyone who has booked to Cape Verde between May and October to offer to another of our great destinations.

"Our holidays to Cape Verde restart in November as scheduled.”

Has your Cape Verde holiday been affected? If so, please email caroline.mcguire@the-sun.co.uk