Thomas Cook, easyJet & TUI have all experienced “turbulent” times amid Brexit uncertainty (Image: Getty Images) Thomas Cook, easyJet and TUI have all recently announced losses, but how does this affects passengers who have flights and holidays booked with the travel firms? This is the latest travel advice. Shares in the high-street travel giant Thomas Cook plunged by almost 40 per cent two weeks ago and a £1.5 billion pre-tax half-year loss announced. Thomas Cook's tour operations and airline are currently worth £738million. The firm blamed Brexit for a drop in profits. Budget airline easyJet also posted plunging profits - a loss before tax of £272million. Related articles EasyJet reports losses of £275m - will it affect flights? Panic over fears the sun will set on travel giant Thomas Cook Thomas Cook, easyJet & TUI: How to protect flights and holidays amid ‘turbulent’ times It said Brexit, increased fuel costs and the Gatwick drone incident which caused the carrier to lose millions between October and March are to blame. However, easyJet's CEO noted that “easyJet has the strongest balance sheet in aviation”. Despite the news, easyJet has said it would go on to meet its profit expectations in 2019. Tui also announced some losses in their half-year reports this month, but, as with easyJet, said these were in line with expectations. Nevertheless, holidaymakers are worried about how these losses will affect them - with many contacting Thomas Cook on social media to ask what will happen. Thomas Cook, easyJet & TUI: Holidaymakers are worried about how these losses will affect them (Image: Getty Images) According to MoneySuperMarket, the travel giant has reassured customers their trips are safe and that it’s taken steps to strengthen its financial position. But for those who are worried, the consumer site has advised travellers on how best to protect themselves. Package holiday with a flight Package holidays with a flight included are ATOL-protected which means you’ll have protection should the company stop trading. If you’ve yet to travel when this happens you'll be given a full refund or a replacement holiday. If you’re already away on holiday you’ll be able to complete your holiday and return home thanks to the scheme. Double check you’ve received your ATOL certificate when you book and look out for the ATOL protection sticker when checking the details of your holiday. Related articles 100,000 passengers REFUSED flight delay compensation Thomas Cook: Is your holiday in trouble amid Thomas Cook results ? Thomas Cook, easyJet & TUI: Double check you’ve received your ATOL certificate when you book (Image: Getty Images) DIY package holiday If you bought the different elements of your DIY package holiday (e.g. flight, hotel, car hire) on the same website, shop or call centre in the same transaction, you’ll benefit from the same ATOL protection as above. If you organised the different elements with the same website, shop or call centre but in separate transactions, you’ll still get a level of protection called ‘linked travel arrangement.’ According to MoneySuperMarket: “This only protects you if the company that sold you the holiday goes bust while it has your money, and not if the hotel, airline etc it's dealing with goes bust.” However, if you’ve booked all elements independently then you will not be covered. Package holiday without a flight For a booked package holiday that does not include a flight, you’ll benefit from ABTA protection. This means you get a refund if you’re yet to travel or you’ll be able to return home (if the package included a return flight). Flights If you have just booked your flights through an airline it won’t be protected by ATOL. This is why it’s best to buy flights on a credit card and get travel insurance to help you get some of your money back. "If your flights were paid for on a credit card, then you stand the best chance of getting at least some of your money back,” Alana Gomez, a spokeswoman for flight comparison site Jetcost told Express.co.uk. “You can contact your credit card provider to dispute the payment, and may be able to get a charge-back, as they are equally accountable when purchases are not fulfilled; though this only counts for transactions over £100.”All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility