TUI has cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes until the end of the week, while holidays to hotels impacted by wildfires have been cancelled until next Monday.

The operator had originally cancelled flights up to and including tomorrow.

TUI said: “We have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Friday 28 July, and have also cancelled all outbound flights for customers travelling to impacted hotels up to and including on Sunday 30 July.

“All customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

“Passengers due to travel to areas not affected by fires on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July will be offered a fee free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund. 

“We are still operating empty outbound flights to bring those customers currently on holiday elsewhere in Rhodes home as planned and working to get those in affected areas as soon as possible.”

TUI added: “Our teams in Rhodes have been working tirelessly to support customers impacted by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island and three dedicated flights brought our first customers safely back to the UK overnight. 

“We have reps in all evacuation centres and we’re aiming to get more people home from the affected areas as soon as we can.

“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 our teams.”

It added: “The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority.”

Meanwhile, Jet2 added a fourth repatriation flight for Monday evening, from Leeds Bradford. This extra 189-passenger capacity flight is in addition to three announced earlier yesterday.

On Sunday, Jet2 cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes up to and including Sunday 30 July.