Ryanair cancels flights to Greek islandsGetty

Ryanair has scrapped its late summer schedule to the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos after a row with Greek tourism authorities.

A total of 82 flights a week will be cut a month before the end of the summer season, meaning thousands of holidaymakers will be left to make alternative arrangements.

The airline's decision has come as tourism authorities and industry bodies across Greece struggle to cope with lack of funds amid the country's budget crisis.

The "no frills" airline currently flies to Rhodes from Stansted, East Midlands, Bournemouth in Liverpool, and to Kos from Stansted, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool.

These flights will be pulled from 2 October, despite being scheduled until early November, the traditional end of the summer season.

Ryanair cancels flights to two Greek islandsRyanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary


The airline has blamed its decision on a row over a marketing campaign to promote Ryanair routes to the islands.

An airline spokesman told Travel Weekly: "Ryanair intended to operate the routes to the end of the summer. However, Detap [a Greek Tourism enterprise] and the mayor of Kos reneged on an agreement to jointly promote our flights."

Meanwhile, passengers due to fly with Ryanair this weekend are warned that the airline's website will close for maintenance until midnight on Saturday. This means that passengers travelling this weekend must check in online before 16.00 on Friday 18 May or face paying a hefty check-in fee at the airport.

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