Holiday companies have suspended their operations to Mexico today following the outbreak of the deadly swine flu virus.

Passengers due to fly to Mexico have been left at Gatwick Airport while their flights take off empty so holidaymakers in the country can return.

Tour operator Thomson said it had cancelled two flights due to leave the UK today for the Mexican resort of Cancun.

The company added that it was bringing home all Thomson and First Choice holidaymakers already in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Thomas Cook and Airtours, which have about 3,000 holidaymakers in Mexico at the moment, were also expected to suspend Mexico holidays.

The move by the UK tour operators came after the Foreign Office changed its travel advice by advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.

Thomson Airways cancelled its Gatwick to Cancun flight which had been due to leave at 9.15am today.

It also cancelled flights to Mexico from Manchester and said repatriation flights were expected to start today.

The company said: “While we do appreciate that the new news may be a great disappointment to customers, we hope they will also understand that their health and safety is of paramount importance to us.”

It added that flights due to operate to Mexico from tomorrow onwards were under discussion and decisions would be made later today.

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