A number of flights due to depart from Sharm el Sheikh airport have been cancelled or delayed today.

The UK Government and the airlines are working with the Egyptian authorities to ensure that as many flights as possible are able to take off but many may see an adjustment to their schedule.

People due to travel through Sharm el Sheikh today should speak to their tour operator or airline for an update and follow any advice given. Holidaymakers will be entitled to overnight accommodation and food and drink until they can return home. This will be arranged automatically for people on package holidays.

For those who have booked a flight and hotel it is important to check with the airline to see what arrangements are in place. If holidaymakers have to pay for their own food, drink and accommodation they should keep receipts, keep claims to a reasonable level and claim from the airline on their return to the UK.

There is currently a backlog of approximately 4,000 passengers waiting to return home who were due to travel on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Foreign Office has not raised the threat level in the resort of Sharm el Sheikh so holidaymakers who are part way through their holiday are able to continue their holiday as planned and are scheduled to return on their original departure dates.

6 November 09:06

Following an announcement from the UK Government/DfT/FCO yesterday (Thursday 5 November) flights from Sharm el Sheikh Airport to the UK will resume today (Friday 6 November).

Outbound flights from the UK to Sharm el Sheikh are still suspended and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office continues to advise against all but essential travel by air to Sharm el Sheikh.

Since Wednesday 4 November, the UK Government has been undertaking ongoing assessments of the security arrangements at Sharm el Sheikh airport. It is now satisfied that procedures are in place to allow holidaymakers to return home safely. Additional flights are being put on by the airlines to help the backlog of customers waiting to return home.

As a result of the increased security threat, holidaymakers travelling from Sharm el Sheikh airport will have to follow certain special procedures as set out by the Government, including restrictions on taking hold and hand luggage. These procedures have been developed  by the Government for the security and safety of passengers and its important that holidaymakers follow their airline's requirements, even if the requirements may cause some inconvenience.

Holidaymakers in Sharm el Sheikh who are waiting or due to return home are advised to contact their tour operator or airline in regard to their return travel arrangements.

The Foreign Office has not raised the threat level in the resort of Sharm el Sheikh so holidaymakers who are part way through their holiday are able to continue their holiday and return on their scheduled departure dates. Their insurance policies should still be valid as the level of advice for the resort has not changed. Should they wish to return earlier than their scheduled departure date they should contact their airline or tour operator for their options.  Priority on returning flights will be given to passengers who have had their travel plans disrupted.

ABTA estimates there are around 9,000 customers currently on holiday with its Members in Sharm el Sheikh, but there are also several thousand holidaymakers who have travelled independently.

Those with holidays booked within the next 48 hours to Sharm el Sheikh are advised to contact their travel company to discuss their options. If you have booked a package you will be entitled to a refund or alternative holiday.

If you are not travelling within the next 48 hours you will need to check with your travel company as to what your options are and follow their advice.

Those people with bookings beyond this are advised to wait until closer to the departure date to contact their travel company as the situation is fluid.

5 November 08:47

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is now advising against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh as a result of ongoing assessments of the security arrangements at Sharm el Sheikh airport.

The Foreign Office has not raised the threat level in the resort of Sharm el Sheikh. The change in advice applies only to air travel to and from Sharm el Sheikh.

ABTA estimates there are around 9,000 customers currently on holiday with its Members in Sharm el Sheikh, but there will also be a number of holidaymakers who have travelled independently.

Holidaymakers in Sharm el Sheikh are advised to contact their travel company in regard to travel arrangements.

Most insurance policies will still provide cover for holidaymakers in a country at the time of Foreign Office advice change.

Those with holidays booked within the next 48 hours to Sharm el Sheikh are advised to contact their travel company to discuss their options. If you have booked a package you will be entitled to a refund or alternative holiday.

If you are not travelling within the next 48 hours you will need to check with your travel company as to what your options are and follow their advice.

Those people with bookings beyond this are advised to wait until closer to the departure date to contact their travel company as the situation is reviewed.

Summary

There is a concern that the crash was caused by an explosive device. UK aviation experts have arrived in Sharm el Sheikh on 4 November to make an assessment of the aviation security arrangements in place. As a precautionary measure, flights that were due to leave Sharm el Sheikh destined for the UK on the evening of Wednesday 4 November will be delayed so that additional security checks can be made. We have deployed consular staff to Sharm el Sheikh, who will be on hand at the airport to assist British nationals.

If you are currently on holiday in Sharm el Sheikh or are due to travel in the coming days, please contact your tour operator and airline.

ABTA will continue to monitor the situation and liaise closely with the Department for Transport (DfT), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) We are awaiting further information and will provide regular updates.