Monarch passengers due to fly from Birmingham Airport woke up to texts which said the airline had gone under and that they would not be able to fly.

Holidaymakers were left trying to find alternatives and, in some cases, had to cut their holidays short.

Ulla Pennick, 64, of Wolverhampton, said she managed to find an alternative flight, but it allowed her to have only five days on holiday rather than 10.

She said: "It was a bit of a nightmare, we are lucky that we have an apartment in Spain.

"My husband Michael was flying out to play golf and I managed to find a flight from Birmingham Airport to Alacante for him while he was driving back from the airport.

"I was supposed to join him in Spain at a later date, but most of the cheaper flights had already gone.

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"I have had to cut my break in half and I have no idea how to get to the airport for a 6.40am flight."

Kelly Hall a cabin crew member for Monarch Airlines wipes away a tear as she give an interview to the media as she reacts to news she has lost her job with the airline, at Luton Airport

Debbie Robinson, of Solihull, who was due to be flying to Turkey, said she found out about her cancelled flight by an early-morning text message.

She said: "I had my holiday booked, I was due to be flying today but I heard they had been in trouble.

"I woke up to a text to say that they had gone under at 4am.

"If I'd have gone the day before I would have been there by now.

"I feel it's a real shame for Birmingham and Birmingham airport and people that are employed by Monarch."

The landing page to Monarch Airlines website accessed on a mobile phone.

A spokesman for Birmingham Airport said: "We are in discussions with other airlines to try and fill the gap left by Monarch's Birmingham operation."

An elderly couple due to fly with Monarch today told how they were left stranded at Birmingham Airport at 4am.

Martin and Ginny Hester arrived at the airport at 4am to find the airport at a “standstill” as all Monarch went into administration.

Pictured Martin and Ginny Hester
Pictured Martin and Ginny Hester

The couple had been due to fly to Funchal Airport in Madeira, and paid £426 for their flights.

This morning they had to fork out a further £610 to get to their destination with Jet2.

“We arrived at 4am and then there was about 1400 people all standing still,” said Mr Hester, 83.

“There was no one at the Monarch check-in desk.

“Then a lady came out with a microphone and told us that Civil Aviation had announced that Monarch was bust and all flights were cancelled.

“It was a bit chaotic and a lot of confusion. We were told it only affected package holidays at first, but it’s everyone.”

The couple , from Leicester, were directed to the Jet2 desk where they managed to get on a flight at 1.30pm.

But even as Mr Hester was paying for the flight the cost was going up every minute- as thousands of customers tried to book alternatives.

They now hope they’ll manage to get a refund from Monarch, but said they just felt relieved to be finally on their way after a seven hour wait.

“We were lucky- there were some people who couldn’t get flights at all,” added Ginny aged 70.

“Others were being sent to East Midlands.

“I just feel sorry for the staff. We’ve travelled with Monarch and they’ve always been very good.

“I just feel for all those poor people who have lost their jobs because of the management.”

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