Holidaymakers stranded abroad following the collapse of Britain's third largest tour operator were beginning to make their way home.
After XL Leisure Group went into administration, around 85,000 people were left marooned overseas while thousands of others were stuck at UK airports unable to take flights abroad.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) vowed to repatriate those affected while airlines and travel agents also pledged to do everything they can to get people home.
The Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme, which checks tour operators and travel organisers, said "repatriation aircraft" were being scrambled.
An ATOL spokesman said many passengers were expected to be returning to the UK, both on specially chartered flights and on already scheduled flights that have spare seats on board.
Virgin Atlantic has said XL passengers who find themselves stuck at airports in Florida and the Caribbean will be offered special one-way fares to fly home until the end of September. Peter Long, chief executive of Thomson and First Choice owner TUI Travel, said the two firms would also joining the effort to help stranded passengers.
Phil Wyatt, chief executive of XL Leisure Group, described arranging flights to accommodate those affected as "the most challenging airlift that anyone has undertaken".
In an emotional statement, Mr Wyatt said he was "devastated" at the company's collapse and apologised to his customers and employees and said: "Ultimately I blame myself, I'm the CEO, I take legal responsibility for it."
But he added that the withdrawal of support from lenders had left them with no option than to call in administrators.
Holidaymakers can also call the administrator's helpline from overseas on +44 208 242 4783 or on 0800 068 8991 from the UK.
