Have Monarch been rescued by BA perhaps?

They came into the UK using the BA “speedbird’ callsign apparently. Perhaps using the BA wetlease agreement/set-up from the recent CC strikes to speed up the process of arranging repatriations.

Will these flights run for the duration of peoples holidays or will they try and push people into returning to UK early ?

AENA website showing these coming back to BHX as BA8632 at 0315 and BA8610 to LGW at 0435. Those times being the same as the scheduled ZB419/299.

I'll be interested to see if they deny boarding for the scheduled service passengers even though they will have space for them?

AZ-LAC to operate into Gatwick as BA8610
AZ-LAH to operate into Birmingham as BA9209
CS-TQP will be another earmarked to operate repatriation flights

Weren't both flights supposed to be on A321's? These are only A320's so some would likely have to be left behind unfortunately.

In theory only the package holiday passengers with ATOL protection would be entitled to be flown home, so they may not need an A321 if they decide to leave the flight only pax behind. That's going to become a very volatile situation at the airport if that's what's about to happen.

I would think we should be hearing something from the CAA within the next 2 hours before those aircraft land in Ibiza and the pax there are told what's happening.

Just 2 Monarch aircraft still in the air - everything else is on UK soil

Looks like there is a Monarch statement at 03:30

Where did you hear this from?

We believe that to be the case too. - 03:30 uk

Apparently a supposed IBZ pax has said on twitter they've been told there will be an annoucement at 3:30.

That could be 3:30 Spanish time if they are out in IBZ, which is about when the first Qatar A320 will land in IBZ as it's about 45 minutes out now, and obviously pax will then be getting an explanation as to what's about to happen.

Rumour on the Twitterings is saying that Faro has had the following flights updated:
MON052/053+580/581 now cancelled. AWC052/053 replaces the 1st as TSC580/581 replaces the second (it seems)Titan and Air Transat.

3:30 BST would make more sense because all Monarch aircraft will be on the ground by then.

Understand easyjet are preparing to operate rescue flights this morning....

Sad to see them go, best of luck to all.

I would totally endorse the comments Count of Monte Bisto makes regarding the standard of Monarch's Pilots, might I also include, all of the company Flight Crews, front & back & other staff in all departments. I can certainly vouch for this, myself having been subjected to Monarch's training, for over twenty five wonderful years.
If unfortunately this is the end of the road for Monarch & sadly this does appear to be the case, if I was looking to hire high quality aircrew & other staff, I know just the people who I would make a bee line for!

Well it depends what they're about to tell the IBZ pax as the first aircraft will be on the ground in 20 minutes and no doubt they'll be getting told what's happened then,followed by them hitting twitter with the news no doubt. Can't see the CAA making the IBZ pax wait for another hour for an explanation, but obviously the official word from Monarch is likely to be once all aircraft are back at base.

Looks like two more QR A320's have launched (QR3451 and QR3453, both to Gatwick) for a total of eight en route to the UK tonight.