Rhodes: Latest from Jet2, Tui and easyJet as firms monitor wildfires
James ChappleBritain’s main package holiday operators, Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet holidays, are continuing to "closely monitor" the wildfires in Rhodes as a major evacuation and repatriation effort on the island continues.
Some 20,000 holidaymakers were evacuated from affected areas in and around the south east of the island, according to the Greek National Tourism Organisation, with local fire and rescue teams struggling to bring the fierce flames under control.
Director Eleni Skarveli told TTG the fires had impacted around 10% of the island. She added in the region of 90% of evacuated tourists had left temporary accommodation by Monday, with the rest expected to return to their original accommodation, new accommodation or home to the UK on Tuesday.
"The collaboration and solidarity exhibited during this challenging time exemplify the spirit and resilience that Greece embodies," said Skarveli.
Nonetheless, as many as 10,000 Britons are estimated to remain on the island. Between Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet, eight repatriation flights touched down in the UK on Monday (24 July), in additional to scheduled airlift to and from the island.
The Foreign Office has so far declined to advise against all but essential travel to Rhodes, raising concerns about consumers’ access to refunds in the event of either not being able to travel or no longer wishing to travel, or feeling obliged to travel.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said without an FCDO advisory, travellers no longer wishing to travel may not be afforded sufficient flexibility. "No holidaymaker should be forced to choose between losing their money and travelling into a natural disaster zone," said Boland.
All three major operators have amended their programmes to Rhodes, cancelling holiday departures for the rest of the week, and are continuing to operate scheduled outbound flights to bring guests home. Transport secretary Mark Harper met with British Airways, Tui, Jet2, Ryanair and easyJet on Monday to discuss their response to the ongoing situation.
Agents, meanwhile, have told TTG they were impressed by operators’ response to the crisis, adding they did not fear a long-term impact on tourism to Greece and its islands, with Rhodes gearing up for record ex-UK airlift next month with 698 flights scheduled.
Here’s the latest from Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet as of 3pm on Tuesday (25 July).
Jet2.com / Jet2holidays
Jet2.com operated 10 Rhodes flights on Monday (24 July), including four repatriation services. A further nine services are scheduled for Tuesday (25 July), which the airline and operator said would accommodate repatriation demand. Approximately 1,000 Jet2 customers displaced by the fires have now either flown back to the UK or been moved to hotels in unaffected areas.
All Jet2 flights and holidays to Rhodes departing up to and on Sunday 30 July remain cancelled, a move Jet2 said it hoped would put customers minds at rest and "avoid putting further pressure on the island’s infrastructure". Affected customers have been contacted with regards to refunds and rebooking options, said Jet2.
"We continue to fly aircraft to Rhodes with no customers onboard, so we can bring our customers back to the UK on their scheduled flights, as well as any additional Jet2 customers who wish to return to the UK."
Jet2 said it "continually reviewing the situation" but was yet to make a decision on customers due to travel to Rhodes beyond Sunday 30 July. "We will make this decision with the best interests of our customers in mind."
Tui
Tui will not operate any outbound flights to Rhodes up to and on Friday 28 July, and is not operating any holidays for customers due to travel to impacted hotels in the south of the island up to an on Sunday 30 July. The airline and operator said it would contact customers directly if their hotel has been impacted, adding the move extended to any Tui packages with non-Tui flights.
Holidays to northern areas of the island, due to depart from Saturday 29 July, are scheduled to operate. "We want to reassure [customers] that hotels and resorts are fully operational and our team of Tui reps are offering their usual service," said Tui. "There will also be an excursion programme on offer for our customers who would like to explore."
All holidaymakers booked on any Tui holiday to Rhodes due to depart up to or on Saturday 30 July can amend their holiday to another destination or date free of charge, or cancel for a full refund. All flight-only customers affected by the cancellations will receive full refunds, while package customers will be offered the option to amend or request a refund.
"We’re continuing to closely monitor the wildfires in Rhodes," said Tui. "We appreciate anyone travelling to Rhodes in the near future may be concerned about their holiday."
Tui had been due to operate three repatriation flights on Monday, one each to Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.
EasyJet / easyJet holidays
EasyJet operated two repatriation flights to Gatwick on Monday (24 July) in addition to nine scheduled services operating between the UK and Rhodes. An additional repatriation flight was scheduled for Tuesday (25 July).
EasyJet holidays has cancelled all package holidays departing for impacted resorts up to and on Saturday 29 July. People booked to travel up to or on 29 July can transfer for free to another date.
The airline and operator said it was proactively contacting impacted customers in resort, as well as those due to travel to impacted resorts for the period through to Thursday 10 August to discuss their options.
James Chapple
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