THIS is an unprecedented crisis. With thousands of tourists stranded in Rhodes and thousands more due to travel in the following days, this is an operational nightmare for tour operators.
Jet2 has made the decision to cancel all future holidays up to next Sunday.
Planes will still fly into the island with extra support staff and will bring existing holidaymakers home.
EasyJet has cancelled all package holidays until Wednesday. As has European giant TUI – with those due to fly out Wednesday being given the chance to rebook or get a refund.
Both will continue to fly planes to the island to bring travellers home.
That gives them a chance to get all the current tourists either home or, in the case of those evacuated from hotels in the fire zone, into other hotels in parts of the island not impacted by the fires.
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All those impacted by the cancellations on future trips can claim a refund or be rebooked on another holiday.
Jet2 said last night affected Rhodes-bound customers would be given the chance to have a full refund or another holiday and it currently has availability throughout the popular Med destinations.
British Airways continues to fly to the island but is offering customers due to travel the chance to change flights free of charge. Ryanair is operating all its flights as normal.
It is independent holidaymakers who may find it most difficult to get help to leave Rhodes or rebook.
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Unlike package holiday tourists, they will have to make their own arrangements with the companies they have booked with.
In some cases, flight-only holidaymakers might struggle to cancel or amend their flights if they have not been cancelled.
The same would apply to anyone who has booked hotels, villas or car hire independently.
Check your travel insurance to see if there is any provision for you to be able to claim money back but that is unlikely…
Unless the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all but essential travel to Rhodes – something they have not yet done – travel insurance policies will not cover those who don’t wish to travel.
If the government advice changes, due to exceptional circumstances, they may be able to claim.
