Greece wildfires: What travellers need to know about their rights

Wildfires have swept across Greece, throwing holiday plans into chaos. Here’s what you need to know about flights, cancellations and hotel bookings.

Wildfires have swept across Greece, leading some holidaymakers to abandon their belongings and others reconsider their plans.

The tourist islands of Rhodes and Corfu and many other areas of regions in Greece have been listed at extreme risk of dangerous forest fires exacerbated by strong winds.

Authorities evacuated nearly 2,500 people from the Ionian island of Corfu on Monday, while last week thousands of children were evacuated from Athens’ holiday villages and over the weekend.

Greek firefighters work to extinguish wildfires in the southern part of the Greek island of Rhodes. Picture: AFP

Some 30,000 people fled the flames on Rhodes at the weekend, the country’s largest-ever wildfire evacuation.

With 64 new blazes were recorded on Sunday, temperatures continue to sit in the low to mid 40s in parts of the Greek mainland.

If you’re travelling in or to Greece, here’s what you need to know.

SHOULD I CANCEL MY HOLIDAY IN GREECE?

Not all of the island is affected by the fires, so it is a mixed picture. Some holidays are cancelled, while individual flights may still leave.

A number of airlines are continuing flights as normal, but some have cancelled flights or package holidays scheduled for the coming days.

SmartTraveller, an Australian government travel service, hasn’t advised against travel to Rhodes. Instead, they’ve urged Australians to monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities.

“Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece, and there are several active wildfires, including on the island of Rhodes,” they advised.

“Other areas of Greece are under warnings of extreme fire danger, including areas around Athens and the Peloponnese.

“Petty crime and theft are serious issues in tourist areas and on buses and trains. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and slashing luggage to steal belongings are common, particularly over the summer.

“Pay close attention to your belongings, particularly your passport, bank cards and phone.”

WHAT ABOUT CORFU?

Greek officials say the fires in Corfu are coming under control and are urging travellers to go ahead with their holiday plans.

Travellers should still check their flights and accommodation are not affected.

A Skycrane helicopter sprays water on the Greek Aegean island of Rhodes. Picture: AFP

WHAT ARE MY CANCELLATION RIGHTS?

If you’re prevented from travelling due to unexpected circumstances, some airlines will provide you with a credit for future travel possibly after deducting a fee. It’s all a question of whether the delay or cancellation was due to something within the airline’s control.

“Payments for accommodation, transport, meals and phone calls if your flight is delayed or cancelled are at the discretion of the airline in Australia but it's always worth asking for any assistance you need,” Choice investigations editor Andy Kollmorgen said.

“Australia’s compensation regimen is a bit hit and miss compared to those of places like the European Union, New Zealand and Indonesia, all of which have specific payback protocols in place.”

DOES TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER WILDFIRES?

If you had extra days of lodging in Rhodes but was forced to evacuate from your hotel, this is related to the insurance policy of your tour operator and your specific travel plan.

The Greek government will provide further details on this issue after the end of the wildfires.

“Travel insurance cover will depend on your individual policy, but often natural disasters and other unexpected catastrophes are covered,” Mr Kollmorgen said.

“Check with your insurer for specific details and cover limits.

Travelers gesture as they arrive after returning from the Greek island of Rhodes where evacuations are underway due to wildfires. Picture: AFP

WHICH COMPANIES SPECIFICALLY HAVE CANCELLED FLIGHTS?

• Jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes in the next seven days, but aircraft with no customers on board will be flown there in order to bring people back
• Tui has cancelled all its flights to the island up to and including July 28. It has also cancelled all outbound flights to affected hotels up to and including July 30. All customers will receive a refund. Customers currently in Rhodes may return on their intended flights or repatriation flights. Passengers due to travel to areas not affected by fires on July 29 and July 30 can change their travel dates or receive a refund.
• Easyjet has cancelled package holidays until July 29 and is contacting customers due to travel to the affected resorts up to and including August 10 “to discuss their options”. It is running flights as normal, but allowing customers to change their travel dates, and is sending repatriation flights.
• Ryanair says it is running flights as normal.
• British Airways said its flights to Rhodes and Corfu were running as normal, but customers needing to return early could change their flight for free.

WHY ARE COMPANIES RUNNING FLIGHTS BUT CANCELLING HOLIDAYS?

Because there is no Foreign Office advice against travelling to Rhodes or Corfu, there's nothing to stop airlines selling stand-alone flights, nor do they have to cancel those already scheduled.

However, package holidays are more complex. They may include accommodation that has been affected by fire, and the duty of care lasts for longer, so operators may decide to cancel.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION AND YOUR RIGHTS

While the Australian Consumer Law protects you within Australia, if you’re booking accommodation or travel with overseas companies, your entitlements will be dictated by the consumer regulations in that jurisdiction.

Tourists ride on a ferry to Corfu island as the smoke billows from the fire over the island. Picture: AFP

WHAT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE EARLIER?

Foreign embassies are in direct contact with the local and national authorities to facilitate your return. Also, contact your tour operator to receive information about additional departure flights which are being currently added.

You can contact the Australian Embassy on [phone] or [phone].

A dedicated Help Desk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in operation in the T1 terminal of Rhodes Airport.

Foreign nationals who wish to contact the Help Desk can call the following numbers:

[phone] / 6983 209 611

In case of a special emergency, you can use the following phone number/WhatsApp to contact the Help Desk: [phone]

BEFORE YOU GO:

• Travellers are urged to do the following before their trip in order to remain safe:
• Check for updates on any travel warnings and advice on the SmartTraveller website.
• Keep across current events and decide whether it’s still safe for you to go.
• Contact your travel providers. Flights to and within your destination may be affected.
• Know what to do if something happens while you’re away
• Check your travel insurance. Make sure it covers you for extreme weather events that you might face.

Originally published as Greece wildfires: What travellers need to know about their rights