Has anyone else heard a rumour that there is a petrol shortage in Greece, particularly Corfu? Perhaps Negg would know more on this subject. If so does this mean that taxi's etc will now be a bit more expensive? As I say it may only be a rumour
It looks like the rumour was correct with a shortage caused by a strike by the tanker drivers.
The latest news is that the strikes are over.
see
http://news.ert.gr/en/c/5/32665.asp
Thanks for the info Terry and your quick response. Panic would appear to be over!!!
Ings
Couple of updates from work here, not over but only effecting private trucks, still not a good few days to be travelling to Greece, all should be clear by the time the CFU program resumes for the weekend.
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We have been advised by the Thomas Cook Zakynthos office that the Greek truck drivers that has effected Crete has now started to cause problems in Zakynthos. The Thomas Cook office in ZTH has informed us that most petrol stations have run out of petrol and they have been advised by our agent that if the strike continues we will have problems transferring guests to and from the airport on Thursday 15th May 08.
As it stands all excursions are currently operating as normal, and all company cars have fuel although one or two are running low.
The national news in Greece has reported that the strike is due to end on Tuesday 13th May 08. However it could be a few days before petrol is shipped over to the island from the mainland.
UPDATE 1.
In light of the current situation in Zante and Crete and the potential for this incident to escalate to other resorts all further updates will be escalated to the major list until this situation is resolved. Please see the initial advice on Zante below.
UPDATE 2.
We have been advised that Kefalonia are now experiencing problems with the availability of petrol. The coaches however have been filled for the EFL flight day tomorrow 13/05/08 where we have 4 flight rotations with ~~~ pax arriving into EFL and ~~~ departing EFL. The resort office are also stocking up on petrol in safe containers to store for future use if necessary.
They have also put messages on notice boards in Kalamata and Kefalonia warning guests about the situation with petrol and that if they have a hire car to ensure that they have enough petrol to get to their destination and to return to the hotel.
UPDATE - 3
The Corfu Gateway Manager Lesleyann has advised that today Monday, was the first real impact that the strike has had on Corfu. Many of the petrol stations have either closed or have limited supplies. Lesleyann contacted Avis car hire who confirmed alll their cars had been filled for delivery today for our arrivals. All resort staff have been advised to fill their cars, as they have no further information as to when the strike will end.
As Corfu produces a lot of local products the strike so far has not had any major impact on resorts but this situation will be closely monitored. Lesleyann has asked our agents in resort to keep staff fully updated on the operations for taxis and coaches and she will update accordingly.
UPDATE 4.
We have received the following updates from Halkidiki, Skiathos and Santorini on how the truck drivers strike is effecting them.
Halkidiki - The strike is now beginning to have an impact in resort, none of the petrol stations have any petrol on the Halkidiki Peninsula, as a result of the strike the supermarkets are now running out of food as they are not receiving any deliveries. The shelves are almost bare.
As a precaution all staff cars were fuelled on Sunday evening and these will be used on a minimal basis to ensure resort operations are not impacted. Guests have been advised verbally by staff of the strike and the possible implications with regards to fuel and food in the supermarkets.
The coach company Thomas Cook uses for excursions and transfers has a reserve of fuel which therefore will not affect the airport operation on Thursday at this stage, however taxi's for guests are at present not available anywhere. As of today we currently have ~~~ guests in Halkidiki. On Thursday they will have ~~~ arrivals and ~~~ departures back to the UK.
Skiathos - At this stage Skiathos is unaffected by the strike, the situation is being monitored closely. We have ~~ guests currently in Skiathos.
Santorini - At present they do not foresee any issues with the petrol supply in Santorini, resort staff have been advised to keep the cars fully fuelled until the situation is resolved. They will monitor events. We currently have ~~~ guests in Santorini.
UPDATE 5.
We have the following information available on the situation in Kos, Lefkas and Samos.
Lefkas/Parga - There is a shortage of fuel in Lefkas/Parga, if the strike continues for much longer then the agencies in resort will start to cancel excursions to the mainland in order to save fuel for transfers on Sunday. The supplies at the supermarkets are limited but if the strike continues for one more week then they anticipate problems. Resort staff have also advised that on the local news today there has been an announcement that they will decide whether the strike is to continue or stop tonight, resort have said that it looks like it will not carry on.
Kos - Not experiencing any problems.
Samos - Not experiencing any problems.
UPDATE 6.
We have been advised by Rhodes that this industrial action is causing no major issues in Rhodes and none of Thomas Cooks operations are affected by it.
UPDATE 7
We have received the following update from Halkidiki regarding the truck drivers strike.
The strike has not ended, and as a result there is still no petrol on the Halkidiki Peninsula. Supermarket stores are
now even lower with no perishables available at all.
On Skiathos the fuel situation is still okay with fuel available however supermarkets are running low on most items.
On Lesbos there is fuel available still and supermarkets are still reasonably stocked. However the ferries have
been cancelled.
Thanks Joe, its nice to get these official updates from you.
Lets hope that this isn't the start of similar problems for the coming months.
One thing I noticed when I was in Arillas two weeks ago was the price of petrol.....it was about 1.18 to 1.24 euros a litre for unleaded, and I noticed further increases during the two weeks I was there. This means it is nearly as expensive as the UK now whereas last year, I thought it was still considerably cheaper than over here. The locals commented on it and it is already making life difficult for some. I guess it's a problem everywhere....
I just read from a Finnish paper online that in Crete the air traffic controllers have joined the truck drivers in their strike today 11.00 - 15.00 local time. That has grounded Finnish tourist at the airport in Hania.
Good grief! what is it all coming to. Hope this sorts itself out by September (when we go... or maybe you could be stranded in Arillas and wont mind, now thats a thought)
We can think of worse places to be stranded BG!
Happened to us when EUJet went bust - we were stuck in Ibiza for 3 days. Just made an extra bit of holiday out of it. If it happened in Arillas we might just tear up the ticket and never come back.......
lol
Phil
eggzackly!