Jet2 confirms additional four Rhodes repatriation flights
James ChappleJet2.com and Jet2holidays will operate a further four repatriation flights to Rhodes, with capacity to fly home nearly 800 holidaymakers stranded on the island due to ongoing wildfires.
Two flights, each with 189 seats, with depart for Leeds Bradford on Monday (24 July), along with services to Manchester (220 seats) and another to Birmingham (189 seats).
These will operate alongside Jet2.com’s more than 50 Rhodes flights scheduled for the rest of the week (week to Sunday 30 July), which will continue flying to the island to pick up returning passengers.
All Jet2.com holidays to Rhodes have been cancelled through to Sunday 30 July to provide certainty for passengers and "to avoid putting further pressure on the island’s infrastructure". Customers affected by the cancellations have been contacted with their refund and rebooking options, with Jet2 pledging to process refunds promptly.
MORE: What are Jet2, easyJet and Tui doing to support agents’ clients in Rhodes?
Rhodes has been beset by wildfires for several days, with the fires raging in southern and central areas. Tens of thousands of holidaymakers have been evacuated, some after taking refuge on beaches. Others headed to the north of the island towards the airport.
Elsewhere, easyJet and Tui are working to evacuate their passengers on the island, while Sunvil’s team were called into action on Corfu following separate wildfires there. An evacuation order has been enacted for parts of the island of Evia too.
"We will still fly those aircraft to Rhodes, but with no customers onboard, so we can continue to 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," said Jet2 in a statement.
"Our first repatriation [flight] landed from Rhodes into Leeds Bradford late on Sunday evening, carrying 95 Jet2.com and Jet2holidays customers back to the UK. Customers were also provided with onward ground transportation.
"We have significantly increased our presence on the island too, with experienced colleagues arriving from other destinations, as well as a dedicated senior team flying from the UK to Rhodes yesterday [Sunday].
"These colleagues are there to look after our customers in evacuation centres, in resorts, and at Rhodes airport. We also have staffed transfer coaches taking customers to the airport from evacuation centres today [Monday]."
A Jet2.com and Jet2holidays spokesperson added: "We understand how difficult this experience has been for many, and our entire focus is on looking after our customers. We have a significantly expanded presence in Rhodes, with a huge team of experienced colleagues providing all the support we can for our customers, whether that is in affected areas or at Rhodes airport.
"We have also put on three repatriation flights to bring our customers home, which is on top of our scheduled programme of flights that will continue to operate from Rhodes to the UK this week. We are continuing to make decisions in the best interests of our customers, and we are keeping everything under constant review."
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