TUI 'working tirelessly' to help Brits in Rhodes as wildfires rage on
TUI says that its teams "have been working tirelessly" to help Brits in Rhodes, after days of raging wildfires.
As the effort to help those trapped on the Greek island continues after an intense weekend for the emergency services, the travel firm has decided to cancel all flights to Rhodes until at least Tuesday, and said that all impacted holidaymakers will receive full refunds.
Currently the holiday giant hasn't cancelled flights on Wednesday, but it is giving people the option to rebook to a later date for free, or cancel and receive a full refund.
An updated statement from the brand explained: "Our teams in Rhodes have been working tirelessly to support customers impacted by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island, with over 300 reps, drivers and service colleagues doing their utmost to help where the can, alongside the amazing local community and emergency services.
"We’re now working hard to get everybody home safely with our first passengers returning to the UK on three dedicated flights overnight and plans in place to get everyone affected back as soon as possible."
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The evacuation effort began over the weekend as wildfires broke out (AFP via Getty Images)They added: "We appreciate how distressing and difficult it’s been for those who have been evacuated and ask that they continue to follow the advice of the local authorities and keep in touch with the TUI reps who are present in all evacuation centres. Our teams will be contacting customers with any updates as soon as they can.
"We have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Tuesday, and passengers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.
"Passengers due to travel on Wednesday will be offered a fee free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund. We are still operating flights to bring those customers currently on holiday elsewhere in Rhodes home as planned. The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority."
As it stands TUI flights to Rhodes appear to be running from Wednesday, although the situation is under "constant review" and holidaymakers due to head out there should keep checking their emails and advice for updates.
The advice for those with holidays to Corfu - where evacuation efforts began last night a fires started to break out - is less clear.
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TUI has told numerous customers online that if they are travelling today or tomorrow and are staying at the TUI Blue Atlantica Nissaki Beach, Pantokrator, Golden Mare, La Riviera or Nautilusue should not travel to the island.
"Other hotels are operating as normal," the travel agent said on Twitter.
The situation in Corfu seems to be back under control as of Monday morning, according to Theofanis Skembris, deputy mayor of North Corfu.
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"There were four fires that started simultaneously," he said.
"We have to wait for the investigation, but their [the fire department's] first unofficial assumption is that it was arson - fires can't start simultaneously in four different places.
"The situation in the island is better now. Most of the fires are under control. There are firefighting airplanes helping. I believe that everything will be over soon."
Evacuations began on Corfu overnight on Sunday (@IannisSchuursma/Twitter)TUI has praised its team out in Rhodes for their response to the fire, with more than 300 reps, drivers and service workers with the company "doing their utmost to help where they can, alongside the amazing local community and emergency services," the TUI spokesperson continued this morning.
"We’re now working hard to get everybody home safely with our first passengers returning to the UK on three dedicated flights overnight and plans in place to get everyone affected back as soon as possible.
"We appreciate how distressing and difficult it’s been for those who have been evacuated and ask that they continue to follow the advice of the local authorities and keep in touch with the TUI reps who are present in all evacuation centres. Our teams will be contacting customers with any updates as soon as they can."
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a rapid deployment team was established in Rhodes "as soon as we possibly could".
Asked if holiday companies have acted appropriately, he said: "Well, I think it's too early, certainly to condemn them. I think that there's every evidence that they have been doing what they should."
The situation on the Greek island of Rhodes is "undoubtedly a wake-up call" on climate change and global warming, he continued.
He said: "It's undoubtedly a wake-up call. We had, just a couple of weeks ago, the hottest day, on Monday, that the world has ever experienced.
"Those temperatures were then exceeded on the Wednesday for a second weekly record. And then on Thursday the third record in one week. The highest temperatures the planet has ever seen.
"Climate change is real. It is now. And it is essential that the world combats it, and Britain is playing a leading role in doing that."
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