The move, which will see Airtours use hotels from Cook’s “strategic bed bank partners”, comes into effect for Cook’s agents from Thursday (26 June) and at a later day for independent agents.

Cook’s own smartline brand of hotels and other partner hotels, previously sold as part of Airtours charter packages, will move to Cook’s holiday charter programme from winter 2019 onwards.

Will Waggott, chief of tour operating at Thomas Cook, said: “This move is all about making it easier for agents and simplifies what we offer under Thomas Cook and Airtours.

“Our new Airtours holidays will complement our charter holidays and allow agents greater flexibility to build customised packages for those customers who do not want a pre-defined charter holiday.”

The new Airtours dynamic package brand will include more than 18,000 hotels. Agents will also be able to select from a range of optional extras, such as luggage, transfers and room types that are not included in Cook’s charter packages.