Wildfires have caused havoc on the Greek island of Rhodes and about 19,000 people so far have been evacuated from villages and hotels. Fires have also broken out on Evia and Corfu, endangering more people and property.
The six-day blaze on Rhodes continued to rage on Sunday after the fire service warned more fires could break out, with temperatures set to reach 45C.
So how have different British travel companies responded to the emergency?
easyJet
easyJet announced it would operate repatriation flights to bring home British holidaymakers trapped on Rhodes.
Two rescue flights, an A320 and an A321 aircraft totalling 421 additional seats, will fly from Gatwick on Monday, and a third flight will operate on Tuesday.
Nine flights already operating between Rhodes and the UK will also continue alongside them.
Flights are still operating for customers booked to travel to or from Rhodes before July 29, but if they would like to change their plans, customers can change the date of their flight or request a flight voucher.
Jet2
Jet2 was the first to announce it had cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes up to and including Sunday July 30.
Aircraft will be flown to Rhodes with no passengers onboard, so they can bring people on the island back to the UK.
The company said it would be contacting customers to arrange refunds or rebookings.
IMPORTANT UPDATE pic.twitter.com/G80f1KmiY8
— Jet2tweets (@jet2tweets) July 23, 2023
Tui
Tui said it had cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes up to and including Tuesday July 25, with passengers receiving full refunds.
Those due to travel on Wednesday July 26 can amend to another holiday or cancel free of charge.
It said customers currently in Rhodes will return on their intended flights home.
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook announced it had cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos – the areas of Rhodes most at risk – up to and including Monday July 31, and would be in touch to offer full refunds.
Customers travelling to other parts of the island on July 24 and 25 are being called in departure order to receive a full refund if they wish to cancel their trip.
Those travelling on Wednesday July 26 will be contacted no later than 6am on July 25 to discuss options.
Rhodes update: Sunday 23rd at 8.30pm. Update affects customers due to depart on Tuesday 25th July. pic.twitter.com/rBP0hA9E0Q
— Thomas Cook (@ThomasCookUK) July 23, 2023
British Airways
British Airways said it was still operating flights to Rhodes as normal.
However, customers on the island needing to come home early can change their return flight free of charge, and anyone travelling out from the UK in the next week can postpone their flight to a later date.
