British Airways, Jet2 and Ryanair are among the airlines to have issued travel advice to passengers planning on travelling to Crete amid the ongoing wildfires.
A fast-moving wildfire assisted by gale-force winds, which started on Wednesday (July 2) night, continues to burn through Crete.
As a result, more than 1,500 people have been evacuated from hotels and homes in the area.
Around 230 firefighters, backed up by 10 water-dropping aircraft, have been battling the flames, which have burned through forest and farmland in the Ierapetra area on the island’s southern coast.
Several people have been treated for breathing difficulties following the wildfire in Crete, officials said, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries.
Homes were also damaged in the blaze, according to reports, as flames swept through hillside forests.
Two people were evacuated by boat overnight, while six private boats were on standby in case further evacuations by sea became necessary, the coast guard added.
The fire service and a civil protection agency issued mobile phone alerts for the evacuations and appealed to residents not to return to try to save their property.
The risk of wildfires remains very high across Crete and parts of southern Greece on Thursday (July 3), according to a daily bulletin issued by the fire service.
UK airlines issue travel advice amid Crete wildfires
Several of the UK's major airlines travel direct to Crete:
- Jet 2
- EasyJet
- British Airways
- Ryanair
- Corendon Airlines
Jet2
Jet2, replying to a post on X (formerly Twitter), said holidays and flights to Crete were currently operating "as planned".
The airline added: "We are monitoring the situation closely, and should anything change we will be sure to get in touch."
Hi Stephen, thank you for reaching out. Currently, holidays and flights are operating as planned to Crete. We are monitoring the situation closely, and should anything change we will be sure to get in touch. Thanks, Jake
— Jet2tweets (@jet2tweets) July 3, 2025
Jet2 has been contacted for further comment.
British Airways
British Airways, similar to Jet2, is currently operating as normal, but monitoring the situation in Crete.
A British Airways spokesperson said: "Our flights are operating as normal, and we continue to monitor the situation closely."
Ryanair
Ryanair is also operating as normal out of Crete (at the time of writing).
A Ryanair spokesperson commented: "Our flights are operating as normal, and we continue to monitor the situation closely."
EasyJet and Corendon Airlines have also been contacted for comment.
Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed
Foreign travel advice from UK Goverment for Crete
Crete is one of Greece’s most popular destinations for both foreign and domestic tourists.
Wildfires are frequent in the country during its hot, dry summers, and the fire department has already tackled dozens across Greece so far this year.
The UK Government, via the foreign travel advice website, said: "Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly."
Do I need travel insurance?
The government urged anyone planning on travelling to Crete to ensure their mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts warning of wildfires.
They also advised travellers to:
- Follow @112Greece for official updates
- Follow the guidance of the emergency services
- Call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger
- Contact your airline or travel operator, who can assist you with return travel to the UK
For further information, see Greece’s Civil Protection website.
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The UK Government also warned that causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece, "even if unintentional".
To avoid starting wildfires:
- Leave no litter, especially not glass, which is known to start fires
- Make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished
- Do not light barbecues
If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112.
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