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Sharm-el-Sheikh flight restrictions lifted by Germany
Germany has relaxed a ban on checked in luggage on flights to Sharm-el-Sheikh, which has been in place since the Metrojet disaster last October.
But there has been no word on when the UK is likely to relax its ban on flights to the Red Sea resort, which has been in place since November.
Commercial flights were suspended after the Russian Metrojet, which had just taken off from Sharm, exploded over the Sinai killing all 224 passengers and crew.
Russian authorities claim the crash was caused by an explosive device planted on board, although this has been denied by Egypt.
Russia subsequently banned all flights to and from Egypt but is now believed to be close to reinstating them.
Germany’s decision to lift luggage restrictions came after inspections by German aviation experts on security measures in place at Sharm airport.
Egypt’s Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed said he ‘very much’ looks forward to other countries following Germany’s lead.
"This is wonderful news for German tourists and for Egyptian tourism.
"This will enable even more German tourists to visit our country and will be very welcome news for Sharm el-Sheikh.
"We are delighted to welcome back large numbers of German tourists to Sharm el-Sheikh to enjoy our wonderful weather, superb resorts and beautiful beaches."
Thomson, First Choice and easyJet have suspended their Sharm flights until late September, while Monarch and Thomas Cook have suspended theirs until the end of October, pending any change to travel advice.
In March, Tobias Ellwood MP, a Foreign Office Minister responsible for Egypt, said talks with Egyptian authorities were continuing.
"Some final pieces of the jigsaw need to be put in place, but I hope it will not be too long before flights are resumed," he said.
Egypt’s tourism revenues plunged 66% in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2015.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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