Jet2 and TUI have cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes for the next several days as the Greek island battles devastating wildfires. The move comes as the total number of people evacuated or redirected due to the fires has reached 19,000, according to the Greek government.
Jet2 announced it will still fly the planned aircraft out, with no passengers on board, so that it can bring customers back to the UK. The airline said in a statement: "We have cancelled all flights and holidays that are due to depart to Rhodes today (five flights in total). We will be contacting affected customers to update them, and to let them know that they will be provided with a full refund and the opportunity to rebook."
TUI said in a statement: "The situation in the Southern part of Rhodes remains volatile and challenging. Due to this and considering the impact on local communities being affected, TUI has decided to cancel all flights and booked holidays to Rhodes for departures up to and incl. Tue, 25 July."
The Greek government confirmed that 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea, describing it as "the largest evacuation ever in Greece in a fire with coordinated mobilisation of all resources." A hotspot at Rhodes airport will be set up to help visitors who have lost their travel documents during the evacuation.
