Government lifts restrictions on flights to Sharm El-Sheikh

Restrictions on flights between Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and the UK have been lifted, the government has announced today (22 October 2019).

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.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport 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.