Thomas Cook holidaymakers and crew trapped in Cuba for unpaid bills have finally been given permission to leave the country and are heading back to Britain today, according to latest reports.

Several British holidaymakers and at least 11 members of staff were left stranded on the island following the collapse of Thomas Cook earlier this week.

While travel companies and cruise lines have been rallying to help Thomas Cook holidaymakers, crew and staff, several hotels in Cuba were refusing to allow many to leave until they paid bills left by the collapsed travel firm.

According to latest reports, hotels in Cuba have now been given the authority to allow customers and cabin crew to depart without paying, on the basis of ATOL guarantee, and those stranded are heading back today. An Airbus A330 took off from Holguin Airport this morning and will land at Gatwick later today.

Following the news that Thomas Cook passengers and crew were being “held ransom”, there was widespread outcry on social media, with many calling for the UK government and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – which is leading the repatriation programme – to step in.

Please help share awareness on this, Manchester #thomascook crew & passengers are being held ransom in Cuba when they should be at home with their families. Absolutely disgusting behaviour. The CAA need to make themselves known and get all these people home safe there they belong pic.twitter.com/YW2CAFYPiU

— Moll (@hiyamoll_) September 24, 2019

One concerned person messaged: “Please help share awareness on this, Manchester #thomascook crew & passengers are being held ransom in Cuba when they should be at home with their families. Absolutely disgusting behaviour. The CAA need to make themselves known and get all these people home safe there they belong.”

The UK government was forced to intervene and a spokesman said the government and the CAA had been “working round the clock to support all those affected” and were “in contact with local authorities and hotels”.

British ambassador Dr Antony Stokes has since apologised for the “distressing situation” and confirmed that customers have permission to depart without paying on the basis of ATOL guarantee.

Urgent for #ThomasCook customers: hotels in #Cuba now have authority/instruction to allow customers, and air crew, to depart without paying (on basis of ATOL guarantee). Very grateful for patience of all affected in distressing circumstances

— Dr Antony Stokes LVO OBE (@embAntony) September 24, 2019

There was reportedly widespread confusion in Cuba over whether the Cuban government recognised the CAA’s ATOL protection scheme, which would cover holidaymakers’ bills in the event of a travel firm closing.

If a client has been affected by the Thomas Cook collapse and needs advice on how you’re protected, read our advice article.