Emergency measures being put in place to bring Brits home from Sharm El Sheikh

Flights from the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh to the UK have been suspended on the orders of the UK government.

The move is due to new fears that the Russian passenger aircraft which crashed in the North Sinai peninsula on Saturday was attacked by terrorists.

Foreign secretary Philip Hammond said it was working with airlines and the Egyptian authorities to put  emergency short-term measures in place that will allow the return of British tourists who are in resort.

National media are estimating that around 20,000 Brits are currently staying in or around Sharm el Sheikh, but ABTA said around 9,000 are on package holidays and this accounts for the vast majority.

But Hammond warned that the disruption could continue for weeks.

Thomson and Thomas Cook have already cancelled flights and holidays to Sharm el Sheikh up to and including Thursday 12 November 2015.
 
"The health and safety of our customers and staff is our absolute priority, and we will be seeking to bring all 1,700 customers currently in resort back to the UK in due course," said Thomas Cook.

"Given that no UK flights will be operating in or out of Sharm el Sheikh on Thursday 5 November, we have made arrangements for any customers due to return home to remain in their accommodation free of charge. Our team in destination are dedicated to ensuring that all customers are as comfortable as possible until such a time as they fly home."

Thomas Cook is offering customers due to travel to Sharm el Sheikh up to and including Thursday 12 November the opportunity to cancel or re-book their holiday free of charge, offering a £25 discount per person on the alternative holiday booked.

"Booking conditions are as normal for travel after that date, pending further FCO advice," it added.

Thomson did not disclose how many customers it currently has in resort, but said it was making arrangements with the FCO to bring them home. It has set up a support line for customers on 0800 009 3833.

EasyJet said two of its flights have been held up in Sharm as a result of the government’s decision and has cancelled flights today.

The flights held – EZY8854 to Gatwick and EZY2398 to Luton – were due to leave just after the government announced the suspension around 5pm yesterday.

"We are doing all possible to keep all affected passengers informed and have provided hotel rooms for those delayed overnight this evening," said the airline.

"We are working with the UK Government to work out the basis upon which easyJet can fly passengers in Sharm El Sheikh back home."

EasyJet flights scheduled to operate today were two from Gatwick, one from Stansted, one from Luton and one from Manchester.
 
EasyJet passengers booked to travel to Sharm El Sheikh in the next two weeks are able to request a refund, or change their flights to an alternative date or destination free of charge.

Meanwhile, British Airways appears confident flights will resume on Friday. It said flight BA 2560 due to depart Gatwick today will be postponed until Friday. The BA2561 due to depart Sharm El Sheikh on November 5 will also depart on Friday.

"Customers not wishing to travel on the postponed flights on Friday will be able to claim a full refund, or switch to an alternate destination," it said.

Monarch has cancelled all flights to Sharm el Sheikh and said it is working with the government on how to bring customers stranded in the resort home. It is opening its call centre at 7.30am today to cope with calls from affected customers.

Prime Minister David Cameron chaired a COBRA (emergency committee) meeting last night to discuss the latest developments in Egypt.

In a statement, Downing Street said that while investigations into the Russian Metrojet disaster were ongoing, and as more evidence has come to light, it is concerned the plane was brought down by an explosive device.

UK aviation safety officials have flown to the resort to check what security arrangements are in place at the airport. UK consular staff have also flown to Sharm to assist passengers and airlines at the airport while passenger flights are suspended.

The Russian A321 crashed on Saturday shortly after take-off from Sharm, killing all 224 people on board. They were heading to St Petersburg.