UK flights from Sharm el-Sheikh limited to 8 amid hold luggage ban

PA
Updated
British Tourists Angry They Can't Leave Egypt
British Tourists Angry They Can't Leave Egypt

Only eight flights will depart from Egyptian resort Sharm el-Sheikh for the UK over the course of Friday, rather than the 29 initially expected, the country's authorities have said.

Egypt's civil aviation minister said the volume of luggage being left behind by British passengers, who have been told they cannot take suitcases in the holds of planes, has disrupted operations at the airport.

Hossam Kamal's announcement is a further setback for the UK Government's hopes of clearing a backlog of holidaymakers stranded in the Red Sea resort since Wednesday by the end of the day.

EGYPT-TOURISM-LUXOR
EGYPT-TOURISM-LUXOR

In a statement, Mr Kamal said Sharm el-Sheikh airport was not able to hold more than 120 tons of luggage left behind by tourists to be flown separately to the UK by cargo plane.

"This big volume will affect the smooth operation of the rest of the domestic and international flights," said Mr Kamal.

"Egypt fully co-operates with the British side in the light of the resources of the airport and in accordance with international security regulations."

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