Flights to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport to resume

Following improved security procedures at the airport, the government has announced that restrictions on flights between Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and the UK have been lifted.

Close co-operation between the UK and Egypt on aviation security means that commercial airlines can now be allowed to operate routes to and from the airport, which is an important transport hub for a popular destination for UK holidaymakers.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We look forward to services to Sharm El-Sheikh resuming, and lifting the restriction is the first step in that process. The safety and security of British nationals remains our top priority and this decision follows close co-operation between our aviation security experts and their Egyptian counterparts, and improvements in security procedures at the airport. We will now work closely with airlines who wish to resume flights to and from the airport.”

The government suspended flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh on 4 November 2015, following the loss of the Russian Metrojet flight, in which 224 lives were lost. More than 900,000 British nationals visit Egypt every year.