Jet2 and easyJet issue island holiday warning for Brits after thousands of tourists are evacuated
HOLIDAY package providers are warning Brits stuck on fire-stricken Greek islands to follow the guidance of local authorities with thousands evacuated.
Jet2 and easyJet have both put out statements amid the anarchy on the islands Kos and Chios as emergency services battle blazes.
Jet2holidays told customers to keep updated on the latest advice from local authorities, as well as warning about congestion at Kos Airport as travellers flee the fires.
In Kos, wildfires have raged around popular seaside town Kardamena.
A Jet2holidays statement said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues is always our first priority and we would like to advise our customers on the island to follow the guidance of the local authorities.
“Currently, our Jet2.com flights are due to operate as scheduled today and the airport remains operational.
“However, due to the situation, the airport may be congested and you may experience longer than normal wait times.”
Meanwhile, easyJet holidays moved to reassure customers who have already been evacuated.
The holiday operator said it had on-the-ground staff members to help tourists who had to leave their accommodation.
The easyJet statement said: “We’re closely monitoring the fast-evolving wildfire situation in the Kardamena area of Kos, and working with our teams in destination.
“For customers who have been evacuated from their hotel, we have members of our easyJet holidays team at all rendezvous points, to provide further support and guidance, so we ask our customers to make themselves known to these representatives.”
The budget airline group pointed out that other than the Kardamena region, Kos holidays were going ahead as planned.
But it’s been estimated that more than 2,000 Brits were evacuated from hotels – many having to set up camp on a football pitch.
Lancashire traveller Diane Critchley told the BBC they were sent to a field full of thousands, which offered only two toilets.
She said: “It was horrendous – absolutely horrendous at the football field.
“There were no blankets for the young children and people were being sick around us.”
Local fire authorities said more than 100 firefighters worked to contain the blaze with the help of seven planes and three helicopters.
The fires had been largely subdued by Tuesday and travellers were beginning to return to hotels.