"We have been following the investigation closely to make sure that we take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of British citizens on flights from Sharm. That will always be our priority" said The Prime Minister's official spokesperson.
LONDON – The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson has made a statement on UK flights from Sharm el-Sheikh airport in Egypt. A Number 10 spokesperson said: “We want to update you on our response to the plane crash in Sinai this weekend.
“Since then, we have been following the investigation closely to make sure that we take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of British citizens on flights from Sharm. That will always be our priority.
“The Prime Minister called President Sisi yesterday evening to discuss what measures the Egyptians are taking to ensure the tightest possible security arrangements at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
“While the investigation is still ongoing we cannot say categorically why the Russian jet crashed. But as more information has come to light we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device.
“In light of this and as a precautionary measure we have decided that flights due to leave Sharm for the UK this evening will be delayed. That will allow time for a team of UK aviation experts, currently travelling to Sharm, to make an assessment of the security arrangements in place at the airport and to identify whether any further action is required. We expect this assessment to be completed tonight.
“In terms of flights from the UK to Sharm, there are no more departures today.
“We would underline that this is a precautionary step and we are working closely with the airlines on this approach. The Prime Minister will chair a COBR at 6:45pm to review the situation and we will provide an update after that meeting.
“We recognise that this information may cause concern for those in Sharm and indeed for those planning to travel to Sharm in the coming days. We have deployed extra consular staff to Sharm who will be on hand at the airport, working with the airlines, to assist British holidaymakers there. For others, either in resorts at Sharm or planning a holiday to Sharm in the coming days, our advice is to contact your airline or tour operator.
“At this stage we are not changing the level of our travel advice.”
PM call with President Putin
David Cameron spoke to President Putin on November 5 to discuss the suspension of UK flights in and out of Sharm el-Sheikh. A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister called Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier today.
“The Prime Minister reiterated his condolences over the loss of Russian life in the Sinai plane crash. He explained that, as more information had come to light, our concerns that the plane may have been brought down by an explosive device had increased. We had therefore taken the difficult decision to suspend flights into and out of Sharm el-Sheikh as a precautionary measure, while we sought urgent reinforcement of security measures at the airport. The safety of British citizens was our primary concern.
“The Prime Minister and President Putin agreed we face a common threat from terrorism. The President expressed his thanks for the call and his understanding for our concern for the safety of British citizens. They agreed to keep in close touch as the investigation progressed.”
Lufthansa’s Eurowings and Edelweiss halt Sharm el-Sheikh flights
German airline group Lufthansa said its Eurowings and Edelweiss units are halting flights to Sharm al-Sheikh for the time being as a precautionary measure given the situation in Sinai.
Lufthansa said that Edelweiss and Eurowings, its newly expanded low-cost carrier, had been planning to fly to Sharm twice a week. It will now work with the foreign office and tour operators on bringing passengers back from Sharm al-Sheikh.
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