Why doesn't the CAA use the TC aircraft and crew and use them for repatriation? That would put some money into the receiver's kitty when TC is liquidated.
Nice idea but.... Probably because the operators licence is with a bankrupt company, the aircraft have been or are in the process of being reclaimed by the leasors, the crew won't do it without being paid, no one (airports, fuel, insurance etc) would let those planes operate without payment up front for their services, etc etc etc
Just a quick update on this. Several Thomas Cook aircraft are in operation this morning as part of the repatriation.