
Tunis Airport now under military control
BRITISH EMBASSY EMERGENCY INFORMATION
LINE IN TUNISIA (from UK) 00216 71 108 700
TRAVELLERS ADVISED LEAVE TUNISIA NOW!
Travel expert Julian Bray comments: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK has now finally advised UK citizens against all but essential travel to Tunisia. There is a complete breakdown in law and order.
Violent demonstrations, looting and gun fights have erupted in multiple locations across the country, including Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, Nabul, Hammamet, Douze, Kasserine, Requeb and Thia, among other areas.
The President of Tunisia and his family have now fled to Saudi Arabia and the Army has taken control of the airport. All flights in and out have been suspended, this situation may change. Overnight curfews are in place, with people being arrested by armed, baton wielding police if the curfew is broken.
The extremely volatile situation means those travelling within Tunisia will risk being caught up in street fighting and demonstrations.
Female holidaymakers are strongly advised to fully cover up and always be accompanied by male members of your party for protection. Western females are vulnerable to unwelcome attention.
Travellers and holidaymakers should additionally be aware of additional threats from terrorism in Tunisia.

Following police action against an armed terrorist group in 2007, the Tunisian authorities announced that 12 of the group had been killed and a further 15 arrested. It is believed the group were planning attacks against western interests, including embassies.
There are continuing police roadblocks at major intersections.
Travellers are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance with regard to personal security whilst in Tunisia.
Travellers and holidaymakers are also strongly advised not to attempt to cross the border into Algeria if travelling independently. Strong caution is advised to those intending to travel to the southeastern Algerian provinces of Tamanrasset, Djanet and Illizi and recommended that visitors take the advice of a reputable tour company or an approved local guide.
Friends and family members outside of Tunisia who are in contact with people currently within Tunisia should try to establish contact using mobile phones, skype or the internet and pass on this information. Travellers are also advised to register with their Embassy and seek local advice. But the strong advice is leave the country as soon as possible, with or without your luggage. END
STATEMENT ISSUED BY THOMSON -tui
Political Situation - Tunisia 1200 SATURDAY JAN15th Update
Thomson and First Choice are confident that they have everything in place to bring the vast majority of customers back safely within the next 24 hours, and greet them when they return to the UK.
In circumstances such as this, Thomson and First Choice always trust and honour the advice it is given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Given the latest advice from the FCO; the following measures have been put in place:
Repatriation flights from Tunisia
Thomson Airways is operating the following flights today, Saturday 15 January 2011 in order to repatriate customers from Tunisia to the UK. The estimated departure times from Monastir and arrival times in the UK are detailed below:
TOM 959 - Depart Monastir 1230 - Arrive Glasgow 1510
TOM 937 - Depart Monastir 1150 - Arrive Birmingham 1420
TOM 965 - Depart Monastir 10 40 - Arrive Manchester 1305
TOM 918 - Depart Monastir 11 50 - Arrive Manchester 1420
TOM 902 - Depart Monastir 1100 - Arrive Gatwick 1310
TOM 943 - Depart Monastir 1805 - Arrive Manchester 2030
TOM 924 - Depart Monastir 2010 - Arrive East Midlands 2220
Please note, all departure and arrival schedules are given in local time.
Transfers to Monastir airport are being organised by our resort team for customers who are travelling on a package holidays. All customers travelling on a Thomson Airways flight-only booking are advised to make their own way to Monastir airport as soon as possible on Saturday.
Under no circumstances should customers currently in Tunisia break the curfew that the Government has put in place to go to the airport. All Thomson Airways flights will depart outside of the curfew hours.
Customers on the above flights may be required to fly back to the UK to an alternative airport to their departure. In these circumstances, we will provide transportation to their original airport of departure at no cost to the customer.
UK flight cancellations to Tunisia
All Thomson Airways flights to Tunisia which were scheduled to depart from the UK on Sunday 16 January and Wednesday 19 January 2011 will be cancelled.
A dedicated helpline for customers due to travel on these dates has been set up and customers will be offered alternative travel options to consider. The helpline number is 0800 009 3834 and the opening times are Saturday 15 January 0900-1800 and Sunday 16 January 1000-1700.
The flight cancellations are as follows:
Sunday 16 January departures:
TOM366 - Glasgow to Monastir - departing at 0600 - CANCELLED
TOM682 - Manchester to Monastir - departing at 1555 - CANCELLED
TOM538 - East Midlands to Monastir - departing at 0630 - CANCELLED
TOM522 - London Gatwick to Monastir - departing at 1555 - CANCELLED
Wednesday 19 January departures:
TOM438 - Manchester to Monastir - departing at 0630 - CANCELLED
TOM580 - London Gatwick to Monastir - departing at 0700 - CANCELLED
TOM474 - Birmingham to Monastir - departing at 1555 - CANCELLED
Customers due to travel to Tunisia beyond Wednesday 19 January 2011 are advised to continue to check this website for latest information. At present, no decision has been taken to cancel these flights and therefore normal booking conditions apply.
Other changes to the flying programme Saturday 15 January 2011
Unfortunately as a result of the steps required to bring our customers back to the UK from Tunisia, there will inevitably be some disruption to the Thomson Airways flying programme to other destinations, as well as inbound flights back into the UK. Changes to our flying schedule given below and customers due to travel on these flights are recommended to check in two hours prior to the revised times as shown below:
TOM4612 - London Gatwick to Geneva - previously 0900 - now 1410
TOM4613 - Geneva to London Gatwick - previously 1200 - now 1655
TOM2634 - Manchester to Geneva - previously 0655 - now 1450
TOM2635 - Geneva to Manchester - previously 1020 - now 1755
TOM1624 - Glasgow to Geneva - previously 0720 - now 1610
TOM1625 - Geneva to Glasgow - previously 1055 - now 1930
TOM7608 - Birmingham to Salzburg - previously 0835 - now 1520
TOM7609 - Salzburg to Birmingham - previously 1155 - now 1830
TOM2676 - Manchester to Las Palmas - previously departing 1355 - now 1945
TOM4648 - London Gatwick to Tenerife South - previously 1510 - now 1945
TOM2690 - Manchester to Tenerife South - previously 1420 - now 2130
TOM2620 - Manchester to Alicante - previously 0605 - now 2125
TOM7674 - East Midlands to Las Palmas - previously 1525 - now 0700 on 16 January
TOM1600 - Glasgow to Las Palmas - previously 1440 - now 0800 on 16 January
TOM2677 - Las Palmas to Manchester previously 1925 - now 0310 on 16 January
TOM4649 - Tenerife South to London Gatwick previously 2030 - now 0105 on 16 January
TOM7605 - Alicante to Birmingham previously 2000 - now 0055 on 16 January
TOM2691 - Tenerife South to Manchester previously 1950 - now 0350 on 16 January
TOM2621 - Alicante to Manchester previously 1100 - now 0040 on 16 January
TOM7675 - Las Palmas to East Midlands previously 2050 - now 1220 on 16 January
TOM1601 - Las Palmas to Glasgow previously 2025 - now 1340 on 16 January
TOM7604 - Birmingham to Alicante - previously 1525 - this will now depart from East Midlands airport at 2010.
Please check in at Birmingham airport two hours prior to departure. Customers will then be coached to East Midlands.
All other customers who are due to fly on a Thomson Airways flight should travel to their airport as normal. Customers who need further information can contact our customer delay line on 02476 282501 or alternatively text 82345. SMS to 82345 costs 50p plus your network rate.
Contributor: Media, Aviation & Travel Expert, Writer & Broadcaster Julian Bray
SKYPE: Julian.Bray.UK UK Landline: 01733 345581
Mobile: 07944 217476
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