Nordic countries become latest to lift ban on Sharm flights

Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway have reportedly changed their advice, while the UK’s Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to Sharm’s airport.

The Egyptian State Tourist Office announced in a statement last week that “the Nordic countries governments had “issued a communiqué” that the countries “no longer advise against travel to Sharm el Sheikh, including the airport; Dahab and St. Catherine”.

Flights from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh stopped on November 4 2015 although the FCO advice clarifies that: “The tourist areas along the Nile river (including Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings) and the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada aren’t included in the areas to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel.”

Flights to Sharm recommenced from Germany, Italy and Belgium last October after a year of suspension.

In September 2016 Turkish Airlines recommenced flights from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Sharm airport after an 11-month suspension.

Rasha Azaizi. director of the Egyptian State Tourist Office in London, said: “This long-term ban on flights to Sharm El Sheikh is now affecting many UK travel businesses as well as airlines and is causing deep consumer confusion.

“The FCO advice is currently that it is safe to visit Sharm el Sheikh but not to go through the airport.

“That’s given people the impression that they can’t visit Egypt when in fact British Airways, easyJet, Thomas Cook, Thomson and Egyptair are all already operating direct flights to other airports in Egypt.

“No other country apart from Russia still has a ban on flights to Sharm el Sheikh, but the UK government has still not yet made a decision.

“We have been led to understand that the FCO and Department of Transport are all now happy with the measures put in place following stringent security reviews.

“We truly feel it’s time for the British government to make a decision.”