UK airlines still selling tickets to Rhodes despite wildfire inferno

UK airlines are continuing to sell flights for immediate departure from the UK to Rhodes despite the wildfires that have seen thousands of tourists evacuated from the island.

Holiday firms Jet2, the UK’s biggest tour operator, and Tui both announced on Sunday they would be cancelling all flights and holidays to Rhodes and offering refunds because of the fires, which have been raging on the Greek island for six days.

But other airlines are continuing to offer seats on flights to Rhodes for a departure on Sunday. Ryanair has one seat left for sale on the 3.40pm flight from London Stansted for £394 one way, with a Manchester-Rhodes flight available at 3.30pm for £214.

From Gatwick, the 3.55pm easyJet flight to Rhodes is on sale for £208 one way. Flights on easyJet from Bristol, Gatwick and Luton are already on the way to the island. But the airline is allowing changes for passengers booked up to 29 July for those who no longer wish to travel.

British Airways does not fly every day from London to Rhodes, and is selling its sole departure for Monday afternoon from Gatwick for £220. The first available return trip is on Wednesday.

Jet2 and Tui are dispatching empty aircraft from UK airports to Rhodes to pick up holidaymakers.

Holidaymakers were evacuated from their hotels and left their belongings behind

(AP)

Rhodes Airport is on the northwestern shore of the Greek island, close to the capital, Rhodes Town. With no imminent danger in that area, airlines are entitled to operate a “business as usual” policy, with normal terms applying.

But most are expected to provide some options to customers, with package holidaymakers benefiting from extra protection.

The Independent has approached the airlines for comment.

It comes after holidaymakers were forced to flee resorts on Saturday, with some British tourists describing “terrifying” scenes of turmoil as power cuts caused “chaos” on the island.

Thousands of tourists have been evacuated

(AP)

In previous days the wildfire was confined to the island’s mountainous centre, but aided by winds, very high temperatures and dry conditions, it spread on Saturday towards the coast on the island’s central-eastern side.

The Foreign Office updated its foreign travel advice on Saturday on the heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, urging Britons affected by the wildfires in Rhodes to follow the guidance of emergency services, and anyone set to travel to check with their travel operator or hotel.

I am in Rhodes and want to leave as soon as possible. What are my options?

Many tourists are in that position. British Airways has said passengers booked to fly from Rhodes to London can switch to earlier flights without penalty – though little space may be available.

Other carriers may adopt a similar policy. But availability is scarce, with no seats on easyJet flights to the London area until late on Tuesday evening.

Most airlines are operating their normal schedules, and are likely to continue to do so from Rhodes – though outbound flights may be empty, as Jet2 and Tui are doing.

It is possible that some airlines may operate special rescue flights in addition to their normal schedules, or deploy larger than normal aircraft.

I am booked to travel imminently to Rhodes. Can I cancel for a refund?

If the travel firm cancels your trip you can expect a full refund within two weeks. That is what Jet2 is providing for travellers booked on Sunday’s flights to Rhodes.

If the flight is going ahead, then your rights depend on whether you are on a proper package holiday or have booked flights and accommodation separately.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers can cancel for a refund “if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination”.

In the case of Rhodes, this looks like reasonable grounds to cancel.

Flight-only passengers will have to wait and see what options are available.

An easyJet spokesperson said: “Any customers who are booked to travel to or from Rhodes until 29 July can transfer for free to another date or can request a flight voucher for the value of their unused flights, by calling easyJet Customer Services.” The number is 0330 551 5151.

I am booked to travel to Rhodes in August. Can I cancel?

Not at this stage. Depending on events over the next few days, travel firms will make decisions on their plans for the peak summer month.

What does the Foreign Office say?

“If you are planning to travel to Rhodes, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel that the area you plan to visit is not impacted by the current wildfires.”