Brit tourists being diverted to Spanish resorts after devastating Greece wildfires leaves holidaymakers stranded
BRIT tourists whose holidays to Greece have been left in tatters have been given some hope as trips are being diverted to Spanish resorts.
Thousands of holidaymakers have been left stranded in the burning country as a host of airlines cancelled flights for the foreseeable.
Ferocious blazes sweeping through Rhodes and Corfu have crippled the nation in recent days, forcing 30,000 locals and tourists to flee.
Brits have been forced to sleep on airport floors waiting for a spot on a repatriation flight – serving as a stark warning to those who were due to travel to Greece.
Families could lose thousands of pounds if they cancel their bookings and their airline is still operating, despite the worsening situation.
Tour operators are now shunting travellers to resorts across Spain as a consolation prize for their holiday plans that have been shattered.
Holidaymakers will reportedly be diverted to the likes of Majorca, Andalusia, Catalonia and Valencia over the next ten days.
Travel firms, airport chiefs and transport bosses are working in unison to reroute passengers and save their summer holidays.
Additional off-peak flights are being added while hotels are hoping to fill their maximum capacity to ensure Brits can enjoy a break.
Majorca is expected to take on the brunt of holidaymakers, while more than 1,000 flights a day are scheduled to land in Palma over the weekend.
President of Balearic travel agency Aviba, Pedro Fiol, said he was happy to welcome the influx of tourists, but wished it wasn’t under such tragic circumstances.
Coach operators chief Rafael Roig added: “We hope that destinations affected by forest fires recover as quickly as possible.”
There are currently still six areas in Greece that pose “extreme danger”, ten days after the ferocious fires first began.
Officials hope they can extinguish them by the weekend, but the British government have urged those intending to travel with caution.
But unless they bump up their risk assessment, thousands of holidaymakers could lose out on their cash if they cancel their trip.
Current advice instructs Brits to check in with their travel operator or hotel to check if their destination has been impacted by the wildfires.
But solicitor Gary Rycroft said the nature of the Foreign Office’s guidance will prove “very important” to those hoping for a refund.
He told iNews: “If that changes and the advice is not to travel, that will trigger lots of people’s travel insurance policies.”
Mr Rycroft also reassured those worried about their upcoming package holidays in Greece.
He added: “I would have confidence in the tour company having the intel as to whether they can deliver that holiday or not.
“If they can’t deliver it, you will be in line to get compensation.”
Yet he warned those who booked their flights and accommodation themselves and want to cancel face “losing a fair whack of money.”
TUI has cancelled some flights and hotels to Rhodes up until the end of this week, but promised people can change their bookings or will receive a full refund.
Travel to Corfu is “currently operating normally” as a wildfire in the north east was contained, the firm said.
All Jet2 flights to Rhodes from the UK have been cancelled until July 30, however flights from the island are operational.
Unlike TUI and Jet2, Ryanair are still operating flights to and from Rhodes, as well as Corfu.
Meanwhile, easyJet said flights are still heading to Rhodes but they urged passengers to keep an eye on the status of their journeys.
Tourists are also eligible to transfer for free to another date, or they can request flight vouchers.
Horror stories from stranded families have continued to emerge, who have claimed they were offered “no assistance.”
Wildfires have also spread to Agioi Theodoroi and parts of Evia, causing further panic for tourists who thought they were safe.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the country is “at war” with the wildfires as the staggering heat exacerbates the situation.
He warned his nation faces “another three difficult days ahead” before temperatures are expected to drop.
Rhodes now sports a black scar across the middle of the island after being scorched by flames, prompting Greece’s biggest-ever evacuation.
Terrified holidaymakers were forced to flee burning hotels, wade through water and sleep in makeshift camps on the floors of schools and gyms.
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said up to 10,000 British tourists were stranded on the island, many of whom were facing a “living nightmare”.
Around 450 firefighters and seven planes have arrived from the EU to help tackle the dozens of fires, while neighbouring Turkey sent 20 water-dropping planes and helicopters to join the efforts.