A host of travel operators have responded to the Government’s warnings by grounding flights to Sharm el-Sheikh.
EasyJet, Thomson Airways, Thomas Cook and British Airways are among the companies which have cancelled all flights to and from the Red Sea resort, several until next Thursday, following the Foreign Office’s (FO) warning against “all but essential” travel.
Travel agent association Abta has estimated there are at least 9,000 Britons on holiday at the resort and advised passengers who were stranded or were booked to go in the next few days to contact their tour operator.
An Abta spokesman said: “The FO 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.
“Most insurance policies will still provide cover for holidaymakers in a country at the time of FO 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.”
EasyJet said it had cancelled its flights to and from the resort today and would keep future flights “under review, pending further advice from the Government”.
“Passengers booked to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in the next two weeks are able to request a refund, or change their flights to an alternative date or destination free of charge.
“We are doing all possible to keep all affected passengers informed and have provided hotel rooms for those delayed overnight this evening. We are working with the UK Government to work out the basis upon which easyJet can fly passengers in Sharm el-Sheikh back home,” it said.
Thomson Airways, along with First Choice, confirmed it has cancelled all outbound flights to Sharm el-Sheikh up to and including Thursday November 12.
A statement said: “All customers booked to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in this period will be provided with a full refund. As a priority, we are contacting customers due to travel tomorrow and ask those travelling later in the week to please bear with us as we manage this evolving situation.”
All customers on holiday in in the area who travelled on Thomson Airways on a flight-only basis are advised to immediately contact the 24-hour holiday line +44 33 33 365 147.
British Airways said flights to and from the resort would probably be delayed by 24 hours.
A spokesman said: “The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”
Customers are advised to contact the airline at BritishAirways.com.
Thomas Cook has also cancelled all flights until next Thursday. The company said it hoped to bring its 1,700 customers back to the UK “in due course” and those due to fly today would be allowed to stay in their accommodation for free.
Those due to fly in the next week would be allowed to cancel or re-book with a £25 discount, the firm said.
Monarch has grounded all flights today and said it was working with the FO to arrange to fly its customers back to the UK.
Those who were set to travel to the region today should not go to the airport and instead contact the firm’s customer services on 0333 003 0700 or 0333 777 4744 for package holiday customers.