Thomson extends Sharm el-Sheikh flight cancellations
Thomson has extended the suspension of its flights to Sharm el-Sheikh until February 8 next year.
It announced this week that Thomson Airways planned to operate a reduced flying programme after this date, assuming the Foreign Office lifts a ban on flights to Sharm.
All flights from the UK have been suspended since 2015 when a Russian holiday jet was blown up shortly after taking off from Sharm.
Thomson said that as the UK Foreign Office is continuing to advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm, it was cancelling its flying programme up to next February.
"The situation in Egypt is under constant review, and all customers affected by this change will be contacted directly and offered the opportunity to amend to any Thomson or First Choice holiday currently on sale or, alternatively, to cancel and receive a full refund," it said.
From February 8, it plans to operate one flight a week from Birmingham and Bristol and two weekly flights from Gatwick and Manchester up to the end of April.
It said it was expecting only ‘limited’ demand once flights are allowed to resume.
Customers already booked to travel before February are being offered a £30 per person discount if they amend their booking to any available Thomson or First Choice holiday departing by April 30.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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