Rhodes: industry embarks on major repatriation effort as wildfires rage
James ChappleA major repatriation operation is under way after fierce wildfires forced thousands of holidaymakers on the Greek island of Rhodes to flee their hotels and seek refuge on beaches and at the island’s airport.
Around 19,000 people are so far understood to have been evacuated from fire-affected areas of Rhodes, with the fires burning fiercely in central areas of the island. Separately, evacuation orders have also been enacted on the islands of Corfu and Evia.
The fires follow a fortnight of intense high temperatures across the Mediterranean, from Spain in the west to Turkey in the east. Temperatures tipped 45C in parts of Italy and exceeded 40C in Greece.
Operators including Jet2holidays, Tui and easyJet holidays have ceased flying holidaymakers out to Rhodes, and are instead sending empty aircraft to bring home stranded holidaymakers.
MORE: What are Jet2holidays, easyJet holidays and Tui doing to support agents?
EasyJet said it would operate two repatriation flights to Gatwick on Monday (24 July) and another on Tuesday (25 July). a Jet2 spokesperson said its airline would operate scheduled flights to bring customers back, with two anticipated on Monday. Tui said it was flying additional support staff in on empty flights, which were then being used to fly people home.
All three operators have encouraged people due to travel to Rhodes in the coming days to consider their options and, if they no longer wish to travel, make use of additional flexibility on offer to rearrange their breaks or seek a refund.
The Foreign Office has confirmed the Greek government has set up a crisis management unit to respond to the situation, although holidaymakers in fire-affected areas are encouraged in the first instance to make contact with their airline or travel operator.
"Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece and there are a number of active wildfires," said the FCDO. "If you are a British national affected by wildfires, please follow the guidance from the emergency services.
"If you are planning to travel to any areas affected by wildfires, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel that the area you plan to visit.
‘Follow local advice’
Abta has set up an information portal – abta.com/rhodeswildfires – to support and assist members with customers stranded in Rhodes, and stressed it was in "close contact" with authorities in the UK and Greece.
"The safety of customers is the number one priority, and Abta members are working hard to support those customers affected," said Abta in a statement. “Holidaymakers have been evacuated to a number of locations and Abta members are communicating with their customers about next steps.
“We continue to advise holidaymakers who have been affected by the fires to follow the advice of the local authorities and their travel company."
On upcoming bookings, Abta said: “If you are imminently due to travel to Rhodes in the coming days, please look out for updates from your holiday company or airline. We are aware of some cancellations – your rights will vary depending on whether you have booked a package holiday or the different elements of your holiday separately."
The Irish Travel Agents Association issued similar advice, stressing most Irish tourists were in northern areas of the island and were unaffected by the first in the south-east of the island. Nonetheless, it has urged holidaymakers to follow local advice.
"If you are in an area affected and have been advised to evacuate, please do so and keep in contact with the local tour operator staff on the ground," said the ITAA. "Alternatively contact your tour operator or the travel agent you booked your holiday with for assistance.
"If possible, keep your mobile phone charged and turn it onto roaming to receive alerts from local authorities."
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