24 July 2023 , 09:31
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Flights are being sent out to Rhodes to repatriate British holidaymakers following days of wildfires.
This morning Jet2 announced that it will operate three repatriation flights from Rhodes to bring customers back to the UK.
The additional services are on top of the 50 plus scheduled flights operating between Rhodes and the UK up until Sunday.
The repatriation flights are to:
- Rhodes to Manchester, departing tonight with 220 seats
- Rhodes to Leeds Bradford, departing tonight with 189 seats
- Rhodes to Birmingham, departing tonight with 189 seats
A spokesperson for the company said: "Yesterday, we cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes up to and including Sunday 30th July, to give customers assurance and to avoid putting further pressure on the island’s infrastructure.
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Have you been impacted by the wildfires? Email [email protected]
Thousands of holidaymakers have been evacuated from Rhodes (AP)"We have contacted affected customers with regards to their refund and rebooking options and if they wish to receive a refund, we will process this quickly.
"We will still fly those aircraft to Rhodes, but with no customers onboard, so that we can continue to bring our customers back to the UK on their scheduled flights, as well as any additional Jet2 customers who wish to return to the UK."
The company's first repatriation flight landed from Rhodes into Leeds Bradford late on Sunday evening, carrying 95 customers.
"We have significantly increased our presence on the island too, with experienced colleagues arriving from other destinations, as well as a dedicated senior team flying from the UK to Rhodes yesterday," the spokesperson continued.
"These colleagues are there to look after our customers in evacuation centres, in resorts, and at Rhodes Airport. We also have staffed transfer coaches taking customers to the airport from evacuation centres today.
Jet2 has said it is running three extra repatriation flights (stock photo) (Andrew McCaren/LNP)Parts of Corfu continue to be evacuated today as the blazes take hold of a second Greek island following dramatic rescues on Rhodes where an estimated 7,000 and 10,000 British tourists were.
TUI has cancelled all outbound flights to the island while EasyJet will lay on two repatriation flights today to Gatwick Airport, and another on Tuesday.
The danger to life warnings have come from Greece's Emergency Communications Service after fire broke out in the northern part of the island of Corfu, ordering people to flee multiple areas.
The Greek government has warned further locations are at "extreme fire risk", including Crete and the region of Attica, which encompasses the entire Athens metropolitan area.
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Rishi Sunak urged holidaymakers hit by wildfires across Greece to remain in touch with tour operators.
Speaking to broadcasters on a visit to the West Midlands, the Prime Minister said: “My paramount priority is the safety of British nationals, that’s why the Deputy Prime Minister chaired a Cobra meeting yesterday, he’s been monitoring the situation closely.
“The most important thing is people remain in touch with their tour operators, there are lots of flights going back and forth to be able to bring people home, and if people are in touch with their tour operators they will get the information that they need.”