Flights: easyJet & TUI boost as Egypt Sharm el-Sheikh flight ban is lifted

A flight ban, put in place in 2015, has been lifted between the UK and Sharm El-Sheikh airport. The area was once a popular hotspot for tourists, famed for its hot weather, long sandy stretches and optimum diving conditions. Following the news the BBC has reported that TUI is to increase its holiday offering to the area depending on “customer demand”, easyjet has also said it will “look at any opportunities” as a result.

The ban was put in place in 2015 after a Russian airliner was bombed killing 224 people onboard.

It was thought that security procedures at Sharm El-Sheikh airport were not tight enough, allowing for the bomb to be smuggled on board the plane.

For the last four years, the British and Egyptian governments have been working closely together to work on increasing safety precautions.

The government released a statement saying: “Improvements in security procedures at the airport, and close co-operation between the UK and Egypt on aviation security, mean commercial airlines can now be allowed to operate routes to and from the airport.

“This is the first step in the resumption of flights to Sharm El-Sheikh, which is a popular destination for UK holidaymakers. This decision supports air carriers to provide more choice to travellers hoping to visit the country.

“The government will work with air carriers that have expressed an interest in operating flights as they develop their plans.”

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps added: “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.”

Earlier this year British Airways opted to resume their flights to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, following a safety review.

The British airline first suspended flights to the region on 20 July amid security concerns.

Seven days later the route was reinstated.

A BA spokesman told Express.co.uk: “Following a thorough assessment of the security arrangements, we are pleased that our service to and from Cairo will resume from Friday, July 26.

“The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we would never operate an aircraft unless it was safe to do so.”

source: express.co.uk