News
Latest update from TUI, Jet2 and EasyJet as tourists evacuated from huge wildfires on Rhodes
And now similar scenes are emerging on Corfu too.
Thousands of people are being evacuated from popular Greek islands Rhodes and Corfu, which are being ravaged by wildfires.
Horrifying footage from the islands shows a sky filled with smoke and an orange haze, and tourists running down the streets as the flames creep closer to hotels.
Many have had to flee their hotels and shelter in nearby schools, airports and alternative hotels.
The evacuation on Rhodes has been described as the ‘biggest in Greek history’.
Similar scenes are now beginning to unfold on Corfu too as extreme temperatures rage in parts of Europe.
Jet2 and TUI have both cancelled all flights to Rhodes, but are still taking scheduled planes out to the island without passengers, ready to bring people home.
Jet2 said yesterday: “The situation in Rhodes continues to evolve quickly, and our absolute priority is the health, safety and well-being of customers and colleagues in the affected areas.”
EasyJet has cancelled all package holidays to the island up to and including Tuesday 25 July, though some flight-only bookings are still operating.
The latest advice from the British government is this: “Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece and there are a number of active wildfires. If you are a British national affected by wildfires, please follow the guidance from the emergency services. Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger.
“The Greek government has established a Crisis Management Unit to respond to the situation in Rhodes. They can be contacted on +30 210 368 1730 / +30 210 3681259 / +30 210 3681350.
“In the first instance, please contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.
“If you are planning to travel to any areas affected by wildfires, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel that the area you plan to visit.”
And here’s the latest advice from major airlines operating to Rhodes
Jet2 – Rhodes advice as of Sunday 23 July 2023, 10.50pm
Due to the wildfires affecting Rhodes and the impact across the island, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all flights going from the UK to Rhodes up to and including 30 July. As a result of this, we will be contacting affected customers with regards to their refund and rebooking options. We currently plan to operate flights from Rhodes to the UK as normal.
Latest Jet2 information here.
EasyJet – Rhodes advice as of Sunday 23 July 2023
We know the situation for many currently in Rhodes is very difficult. The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our highest priority and we are doing all we can to assist customers in affected areas.
We will be operating two repatriation flights tomorrow from Rhodes to Gatwick in addition to our scheduled flights. We will also operate a further repatriation flight on Tuesday.
Any easyJet flight-only customers who have been evacuated from their hotel and are currently at the airport should contact easyJet’s airport staff. Any customers from affected areas wishing to travel back early can contact easyJet’s Customer Services team on our dedicated line for customers in Rhodes + 44 (0) 330 5515147 (open 7am-11pm BST or 9am-1am EEST)
Other flight-only customers due to travel to and from Rhodes over the coming days should continue to check the status of their flights on Flight Tracker. If you are booked to travel to or from Rhodes before the 29th of July, our flights are still operating. However, if you would like to change your plans, then you will be able to transfer your flight to another date or can request a flight voucher for the value of your unused flights, by calling easyJet Customer Services.
Our tour operator, easyJet holidays is currently working to comply with requests of the local authorities and is in contact with customers in resort to support them.
easyJet holidays have sadly had to cancel easyJet holidays packages departing up to and including Tuesday 25 July, and customers will receive a full refund. We are proactively contacting easyJet holidays customers due to travel up to and including Saturday 29 July to confirm their options.
Latest EasyJet updates here.
TUI – Rhodes advice as of Sunday 23 July 2023, 2pm
Our teams are working hard with local authorities in Greece to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our customers currently on holiday in Rhodes and impacted by the wildfires. We’d like to reassure you that we’re doing all we can to provide support and assistance. We appreciate how distressing and difficult it is for those who have been evacuated and ask they follow the advice of the local authorities, reps on the ground and hotel staff.
For those due to travel to Rhodes we can confirm we have cancelled all outbound flights up to and including Tuesday 25th July and passengers will receive full refunds. Those due to travel on Wednesday 26th July can amend to another holiday or cancel free of charge.
Those customers currently in Rhodes will return on their intended flight home.
The safety of our customer and staff is of top priority and we will continue to keep a close eye as the situation develops and share more updates.
Latest Tui updates here.
Featured image: Twitter, @hughesy_1985
News
Full list of road closures for Manchester’s St Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is marking St Patrick’s Day with a big parade this weekend, and as always, that means road closures will be in place.
Manchester‘s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade will make its return to the city centre, taking place from midday on Sunday 15 March.
Each year, the event always proves to an incredible celebration of the city’s proud and thriving Irish community, and is known for showcasing and championing local groups and organisations in the process, like Irish dance groups, marching bands and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland.
The parade forms part of the wider Manchester Irish Festival, is free for everyone to attend, and is great for all ages.
Alongside the parade, there’ll be live Irish music performances, and food and drink aplenty throughout the weekend in the Irish Festival Village in St Ann’s Square.
With this year’s parade set to cover more of the city centre than ever, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has published a list of road closures and parking suspensions that will be in place over the weekend to ensure it can pass through safely.
The parade will begin at the Irish Heritage Centre at 12pm on Sunday 15 March, and will then make its way along Cheetham Hill Road, Trinity Way, Great Ducie Street, Chapel Street, Victoria Bridge Street, and finally onto Deansgate.
The parade will finish on Deansgate at approximately 1:15pm, shortly after the junction with John Dalton Street.
Manchester St Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 – Road Closures
The following road closures will be in place to facilitate the parade, so here’s everything you need to be aware of if you’re travelling in the city centre this weekend:
On Saturday 14 March:
Hilton Street (between Oldham Street and Spear Street). Stevenson Square will also not be accessible to buses during this time, as this is to facilitate celebrations prior to the parade.
From 9am until 11am on Sunday 15 March:
- Queens Road (Boyle Street to Smedley Lane)
From 11am until 1pm on Sunday 15 March:
- Queens Road (Cheetham Hill Road to Smedley Lane)
From 11am until 3pm on Sunday 15 March:
- Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
- Cheetham Hill Road (New Bridge Street to Victoria Street)
- Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
- Chapel Street (Victoria Street to Victoria Bridge Street)
- Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate)
- Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
- John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Princess Street)
- Princess Street (John Dalton Street to George Street)
Parking Suspensions
From 12:01am until 4pm on Sunday 15 March:
- Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
- Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
- Cateaton Street (Fennel Street to Deansgate)
- Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
- Queen Street (Deansgate to end)
- South King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate)
- John Dalton Street (Princess Street to Deansgate)
- St James Square (South King Street to John Dalton Street)
- Ebden Street (Minshull Street to Back Action Street)
- Back Action Street (Fairfield Street to Granby Row)
Throughout the weekend, especially on parade day, TfGM is advising against travelling into the city centre by car if possible, as roads will be busier than usual and journeys may take much longer. In this case, public transport will likely be the best way to travel.
If you must drive, then you’re urged to consider leaving the car at one of TfGM’s park and ride sites and completing your journey by tram, bus, or train.
Read more:
If you’re travelling by public transport, you can check for any diversions on your route on the dedicated travel alerts hub here.
Featured Image – Colin Home (Supplied)
News
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Read more:
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Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Daisy Jackson -
24th July 2023 
