With wildfires continuing to increase in intensity across Europe, particularly Greece and Turkey, millions of holidaymakers are now dealing with the aftermath of their own travel chaos. In 2023, the unprecedented wildfires led Jet2 and Tui to cancel hundreds of flights, affecting thousands of holidaymakers. In the interim, Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways just went about operating their flights. They continued to do business even in the midst of that turmoil.
Those devastating wildfires took place amid an unprecedented, record-shattering heatwave that pushed thermometer readings in some areas above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In late July, Silopi, Turkey recorded a searing high of 50.5 degrees Celsius. At the same time, Athens and Cyprus were dealing with extreme heat, with temperatures reaching as high as 44 degrees Celsius. This extreme weather has raised concerns about travel safety and the rights of passengers affected by flight cancellations or delays.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at GoCompare, underscores the need for strong documentation to justify trip cancellation or interruption. Without such a justification, your claim is likely to crumble. “There needs to be reasonable evidence as to why you can’t go or need to leave,” he stated. He elaborated that mere apprehension about a location is not enough reason for canceling.
The CAA sets forth civil aviation passenger rights for those flying out of UK airports. CAA regulations require airlines to care for delayed flights. Their support varies depending on the delay length—two or three hours—depending on how far away the flight is going. This support can involve providing vouchers for food and drink and reimbursement for phone call costs if needed. Should a flight be delayed by more than five hours, passengers may be entitled to a refund if they choose not to continue their journey.
Traveling during this time is not without its risks. Almost a quarter of Britons who travelled abroad in the last 12 months did so without travel insurance. Rhys Jones explains that in order to make a successful claim for a cancellation under normal travel insurance policies, travelers usually require a Foreign Office or other authority issued warning. This alert should mean that it is dangerous to go outside.
“In any sort of curtailment or cancellation of your trip as a result of wildfires—whether that be you can’t travel to your destination or you have to come home early—should be covered,” Jones noted. These data are indispensable for travelers who inevitably will be caught in an increasing number of extreme and precarious circumstances from the current environmental crisis.
In addition to Greece and Turkey, mainland Greece, various Greek islands, France, and parts of the Balkans have all been affected by wildfires. Most alarmingly, in Crete, around 5,000 people, mostly tourists, were evacuated as the island was engulfed by the fires earlier last month. Wildfire activity is increasing at a breakneck pace. It’s more important than ever that travelers are aware of where they’re heading and any dangers that could be lurking nearby.
Uninsured travelers should continue to be on the lookout for cancellations from their holiday package providers and airlines. Jo Rhodes, a travel expert, explains, “If you have no insurance but your holiday provider or airline has cancelled bookings, you may still be eligible for a refund from these companies.” We hope that this advice can help remind travelers that even in difficult situations, there are steps that travelers can take to find recourse.
If you’re considering flying in the midst of this mess, consult your airline before making plans. They keep you up to date on new flight arrivals or major flight disruptions. Travelers should read their insurance coverage closely. This will go a long way in helping them make informed decisions on availability and affordability of coverage during catastrophic events such as wildfires. Some insurers will go so far as to include supplemental coverage for events happening up to 20km from wildfires.
