Following the crash of a Russian plane that is suspected to have been brought down by a bomb shortly after leaving Sharm El Sheikh airport, major UK airlines and tour operators have now extended all flight cancellations to Sharm until at least 25th November 2015. While travel companies are reviewing the situation daily, the crisis doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon, so here’s what you need to know about the cancelled flights to Sharm El Sheikh.
The Basics
- Flights to Sharm El Sheikh will not be resuming until at least November 25th 2015.
- The FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) is currently advising against all but essential air travel to and from Sharm El Sheikh, but emphasise that they are not raising the threat level in the resort.
- Flights to and from Hurghada are continuing as normal.
- Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said that the government hopes to have all British holidaymakers home from Sharm El Sheikh by the end of the week (15th November 2015).
- Extra security measures mean that only hand luggage is currently being allowed on board – other measures are being put in place to transport hold luggage back to the UK.
- Holidaymakers currently in Sharm El Sheikh are being urged to contact their travel provider directly for updates and advice.
The Travel Companies
Thomas Cook
- Thomas Cook have cancelled all flights to Sharm El Sheikh up to and including 25th November 2015.
- Customers due to travel between now and 25th November can cancel free of charge for a full refund, or amend their booking to any holiday currently on sale to receive a discount of £25 per person.
- Customers already booked up to 10th December 2015 can amend their booking free of charge.
Thomson
- Thomson have cancelled all flights to Sharm El Sheikh up to and including 25th November 2015.
- Customers due to travel between now and 25th November can cancel free of charge for a full refund or amend their booking to any holiday currently on sale.
- If the amended holiday is taken before the end of April 2016, customers will receive a discount of £30 per person.
- Customers already booked up to 10th December 2015 can amend their booking free of charge to any holiday taken by the end of April 2016.
Monarch
- Monarch have cancelled all flights up to and including 25th November 2015.
- Customers due to travel between now and 25th November can cancel their flights free of charge for a full refund or full credit plus an additional 10% to be used within 12 months.
- Customers can also amend their booking free of charge to any other destination, providing the amended flights are taken by 16th December 2015. Outside these dates there will be no change fee but difference in fares will still apply.
- Customers who have booked a package holiday or accommodation only through Monarch can cancel their booking for a full refund or amend their booking to another holiday/accommodation. No change fees will apply, but the customer will have to pay any difference in price.
British Airways
- British airways have cancelled all flights up to and including 23rd November 2015, and have emphasised that the situation is being reviewed daily.
- Customers due to travel on November 12th and November 14th can cancel their flights free of charge for a full refund, rebook for a later date or switch to another destination.
- Customers due to travel from November 16th onwards are being instructed to phone their travel provider or British Airways to discuss their options.
EasyJet
- EasyJet have cancelled all flights up to and including 25th November 2015.
- A spokesperson has assured customers that they are doing their utmost to bring all passengers home as soon as possible, and are prioritising those who have been delayed the longest.
All information is correct as of 10th November 2015, and is subject to change. The UK government are readdressing the situation daily, and all travel providers will adjust their flight cancellations according to the decisions made by the government. For the most up-to-date information on your Sharm El Sheikh booking, contact your travel provider or the airline directly.