Thomas Cook collapse: Nikki Austin's trip from Stamford to New York to see her sister for the first time in two years is in doubt

A single mum is concerned she may not be able to be re-united with her sister after the collapse of Thomas Cook today (September 23).

Nikki Austin booked a £4,000, seven-night package holiday to New York with the travel chain for her and her two children Amiee, 14, and Olly, 12, so that they could celebrate their birthdays and see her sister, Danni for the first time in two years.

Danni lives in Canada and the trip was scheduled from Wednesday October 23 with flights from Manchester to JFK Airport.

Nikki, 33, who is from Stamford and works as a nursery nurse, said: “It was a big holiday to see my sister and to also celebrate my kid's upcoming birthdays but it's not looking good at the moment.

"My sister has had quite a hard year.

"We were also going to see all of the sights in New York.

“There were a lot of tears and emotions over the weekend when the news about Thomas Cook broke.

“I've literally not slept during the last couple of days over the whole thing.

“I’m a single parent so money is tight but I’m trying everything in my power to go it sorted."

Nikki said the hotel had been paid for but she was going to have to book new flights to go.

She had already looked at the cost of flights but airlines had put up the cost of tickets.

It could up to two months for holidaymakers to get a refund from Thomas Cook.

The Peterborough-based travel company collapsed today, putting 22,000 jobs across the world at risk and leaving 155,000 British holidaymakers abroad needing to be flown home by other means.

Nikki added: “I feel for all the staff who have lost their jobs.

“I’ve got a friend who’s a manager there and I can’t imagine what she and all the other staff are going through right now."

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