Airlines will start to bring back Britons from Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh on Friday, Downing Street has said. Easyjet, Monarch, Thomson and British Airways will all run UK-bound flights, with passengers facing a series of “additional security measures”.
Passengers will only be able to carry hand luggage on board, with hold baggage to be transported separately.
Thousands of Britons remain in the Red Sea resort after the UK suspended all flights to and from it.
The government announced its decision to suspend flights on Wednesday, after fresh information emerged about the downing of a Russian airliner at the weekend.
Further discussions
A Downing Street spokesman said there was a meeting of senior officials to review the government’s decision to ground flights after the crash.
“Our utmost priority is to make sure we have all the right measures in place to ensure that British citizens can return safely to the UK.
“The prime minister held talks on the situation with [Egyptian] President Sisi earlier and, following further discussions with the airlines and the Egyptians we have agreed on a package of additional security measures that is being put in place rapidly,” the spokesman said.
Outbound flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh remain suspended and the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el-Sheikh airport
British nationals in Sharm el-Sheikh are encouraged to check with their airline or tour operator on their travel plans:
- Monarch says it will operate three “rescue flights” from Sharm el-Sheikh, to Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. It will also operate two scheduled flights to Gatwick and Manchester
- EasyJet plans to operate five special flights, as well as two scheduled flights, and two delayed services from Wednesday
- Thomson will also begin returning customers to the UK on Friday
- British Airways says it will be flying customers back to Gatwick on the delayed BA2561 service
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