The thermocapillary flows in an infinite liquid column surrounded by an annular channel of gas with the axial temperature gradient are investigated. The gas is pumped through the channel parallel to the interface with a given flow rate. The solution for stationary motion is derived and possible flow regimes are analyzed depending on the Marangoni number and dimensionless gas flow rate. Linear stability analysis of these regimes is performed. It is shown that gas pumping in the same direction with respect to the thermocapillary motion on the interface has a destabilizing effect on the system. Gas pumping in the opposite direction can be stabilizing or destabilizing depending on the gas flow rate. It is shown that the motion of liquid can be completely vanished by the gas flow with a specified flow rate. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of controlling thermocapillary flows and their stability in liquid columns (liquid bridges) by gas flows. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.