The £36m deal means easyJet will be able to operate more services from Gatwick and Bristol airports.

The Official Receiver and special managers from KPMG UK have confirmed that airport slots at London Gatwick and Bristol Airport belonging to Thomas Cook have been sold and transferred to easyJet for £36m.

EasyJet confirmed it had bought 20 slot pairs at Gatwick Airport (12 summer slot pairs and eight winter slot pairs) and seven slot pairs at Bristol Airport (six summer slot pairs and one winter slot pair). It means the budget airline will be able to operate more services out of both airports during peak summer and winter seasons.

easyJet said in a statement: “Contractual terms have concluded and the slots have been awarded to easyJet,” adding that the airline would “provide further details in the airline’s full year results announcement on 19 November 2019.”

The Insolvency Service said the outcome had been facilitated by the collaborative approach of Thomas Cook’s commercial partners at UK airports and the support of both internal and external slot co-ordinators.

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In addition, Jet2.com has acquired Thomas Cook’s UK slots at Manchester, Birmingham and London Stansted Airports. The sale price was not disclosed.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The acquisition of these key UK airport slots will play an important role in supporting our continued growth at Birmingham, London Stansted and Manchester Airports.

“We have been adding more flights and aircraft, resulting in increased capacity, at each of these bases for many years. Today’s announcement is the latest demonstration of our commitment to providing holidaymakers with more choice and flexibility when it comes to flying to sun, city and ski destinations with our award-winning airline.”

Thomas Cook went into administration on 23 September 2019, with winding up orders made against Thomas Cook Group plc and associated companies. The court appointed the Official Receiver as the liquidator and KPMG to act as special managers to assist with the liquidation.

It was announced last month that Hays Travel will acquire the entire retail portfolio of 555 former Thomas Cook shops, providing re-employment opportunities for former employees of Thomas Cook’s retail operations who were made redundant.