Updated: Tui, Jet2 and easyJet holidays cancel Rhodes services

Tui and EasyJet Holidays have joined Jet2 in cancelling flights to Rhodes after holidaymakers were evacuated from hotels due to wildfires.

Both operators confirmed that all holiday departures to the Greek island from the UK would not be running until Tuesday.

Jet2 suspended all flights and holidays to Rhodes for a week until July 30 after initially cancelling five flights on Sunday and using the aircraft to fly people home

However, easyJet is currently operating flights as normal to Rhodes but is monitoring the situation closely, according to a spokesperson.

Those due to fly out with Tui on Wednesday are being offered the option to take an alternative holiday without amendment fees.

OTA Loveholidays cancelled all holiday departures to Rhodes on Sunday and Monday.

A Jet2 spokesperson said: “Due to these extraordinary circumstances, we have cancelled all flights and holidays that are due to depart to Rhodes up to and including Sunday 30th July.

“We believe this is the right thing to do for everyone, and we will be contacting affected customers with regards to their refund and rebooking options.

“We will fly those aircraft to Rhodes with no customers on board, so that we can continue to bring customers back to the UK on their scheduled flights.”

Tui UK & Ireland is working with local authorities in Rhodes with reps on the ground at evacuation points after Greek officials established a crisis management unit to handle the impact of the wildfires in the south of the island.

A spokesperson for the operator said: “We’re continuing to closely monitor the wildfires in Rhodes which have led to the evacuation of a number of hotels in the south of the island.

“We appreciate how distressing and difficult it is for customers who have been evacuated and ask they follow the advice of the local authorities who are managing tourist movements in impacted areas.

“Our resort teams are doing everything they can to support customers, working closely with the relevant authorities.

“We have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Tuesday, and passengers due to travel on Wednesday will be offered a fee free amend to another holiday. 

“Those customers currently in Rhodes will return on their intended flight home.

“The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority.”

EasyJet holidays is currently working to comply with requests of the local authorities and is in contact with customers in resort to support them. 

A spokesperson said: “We are working round the clock to arrange transfers, manage our customers’ flights, and return customers to hotels when it is safe to do so. 

“We have unfortunately had to cancel package holidays departing up to and including Tuesday, and we’ve proactively contacted impacted customers. 

“We are also contacting customers due to travel to Rhodes up to 29 July to discuss their options.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.”

The authorities have stressed that the affected areas represent “less than 10% of the total tourist capacity” on the island in an area south of Lindos between Pekoe and Kiotari on the southeast coast.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “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.”

An Abta spokesperson said: “We are supporting Abta members who have customers affected by the wildfires in Rhodes, and are in close contact with the UK and Greek authorities.

“The safety of customers is the number one priority and Abta members are working hard to support those customers affected.

“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.

“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.”

Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “The devastating wildfires in Rhodes will be a huge blow for many local businesses reliant on seasonal tourism.

“It’s likely that those who are due to go to Rhodes now won’t want to go, and given the emergency operations that are taking place on the island, local authorities could probably do without more tourists arriving.

“It’s good to see some airlines offering customers refunds or the opportunity to rebook free of charge, and we would encourage more airlines and holiday companies to show flexibility. 

“While there is no official Foreign Office advice against travel to Rhodes, it would be unconscionable for holiday companies to cash in on travellers’ sensible decision not to travel by not refunding or rebooking them.”

The Irish Travel Agents Association is advising holidaymakers in Rhodes to follow local advice.

Most Irish tourists are in the northern areas of Rhodes which are unaffected, according to the ITAA.