What rights holidaymakers have as thousands told to flee Rhodes wildfires

23 July 2023 , 12:29

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The terrifying blaze has torn across the popular holiday hotspot in Greece (Image: Eurokinissi/AFP via Getty Images)

Around 20,000 people are thought to have been forced to evacuate as devastating wildfires spread across the Greek island of Rhodes.

Images emerging from the popular holiday spot have shocked the world, showing what one Brit tourist described as an "apocalypse".

Instead of enjoying dream holidays, countless holidaymakers are living through a nightmare, either fleeing on foot or being evacuated.

Meanwhile residents can only watch in horror as their home island goes up in flames as today firefighters warned high winds would make tackling the blaze all that harder.

But what can tourists do if they’ve booked travel to the island or seen a holiday cut short?

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A firefighting aircraft drops water to extinguish a wildfire in Kiotari village, on Rhodes (DAMIANIDIS LEFTERIS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Which airlines have cancelled flights to Rhodes?

Today, holiday package airlines Jet2 and TUI cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes.

Jet2 announced it will still fly the planned aircrafts out, with no passengers on board, so that it can bring customers back to the UK.

TUI has announced it is cancelling all flights and booked holidays to Rhodes for the next several days.

Jet2 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.

"We will fly those five aircraft to Rhodes with no customers onboard so that we can bring customers back to the UK on their scheduled flight."

While 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."

Travelers are standing at a check-in counter while a Transavia flight to Rhodes has been announced on the departure screen - one of the airlines still flying to the burning island (Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock)

Can I get a refund if I’ve booked with another operator?

If you’ve booked with another operator who hasn’t already said that they’re cancelling holidays and flights, and offering refunds, then getting your money will be a bit tougher.

For the time being, you probably won’t be able to get a refund.

But it all hinges on advice from the Foreign Office because if they advised against travelling to Rhodes, then everyone would be able to get a refund.

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However, as things stand, they are just urging British travellers affected by the fires to follow guidance from local Greek authorities.

Evacuees sit inside a stadium following their evacuation during the Rhodes wildfires (AP)

The government department’s website reads: “If you are a British national affected by wildfires in Rhodes, please follow the guidance from the emergency services.”

The exact fine print, and what qualifies for a refund, would vary with each operator and if you’re unsure contact them directly.

What about my travel insurance, does that cover me?

This again hinges on the Foreign Office’s advice.

Holidaymakers won’t qualify for guaranteed compensation unless, again, the government advises against travel to the area - something they’re not currently doing.

A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers told Sky News: "The primary purpose of travel insurance is to cover the costs of emergency medical treatments or repatriation should the worst happen, which can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"It can cover you if you need to cancel or cut short your holiday, but it's likely this will only be under limited circumstances, for example if you or a close family member fall ill, not because of a disinclination to travel.

"Insurance can cover you if advice from the government changes since you've booked your trip, and it's no longer considered safe to travel to the destination."

Again, if unsure or concerned about travelling to the area, you should check with your travel provider.

Also, check the scope of your travel insurance as it does vary from policy to policy.

In some instances, if you give enough notice, you can cancel and get some money back, or rearrange for a fee.

Kieren Williams