Updated at 12.50pm following the addition of a fourth flight
Jet2 is to run four repatriation flights from Rhodes today (Monday) to bring holidaymakers evacuated due to wildfires back to the UK.
These are in addition to more than 50 flights scheduled between Rhodes and the UK this week.
Three extra flights confirmed earlier will run to Manchester with 220 seats, and Leeds Bradford and Birmingham, both with 189 seats. These will now be joined by a fourth flight, also to Leeds Bradford with 189 seats.
The company yesterday cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes up to and including July 30, “to give customers assurance and to avoid putting further pressure on the island’s infrastructure”.
“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,” a company statement said.
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“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 from Rhodes to Leeds Bradford landed late on Sunday evening, carrying 95 passengers, who were also provided with onward ground transportation.
“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 company added.
“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.”
A spokesperson added: “We understand how difficult this experience has been for many, and our entire focus is on looking after our customers.
“We have a significantly expanded presence in Rhodes, with a huge team of experienced colleagues providing all the support we can for our customers, whether that is in affected areas or at Rhodes airport.
“We have also put on three repatriation flights to bring our customers home, which is on top of our scheduled programme of flights that will continue to operate from Rhodes to the UK this week. We are continuing to make decisions in the best interests of our customers, and we are keeping everything under constant review.”
More: Rhodes repatriation flights organised after wildfires force hotel evacuations