UK government ministers call for end to Sharm flight ban

Following a recent trip to Sharm el-Sheikh, the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Egypt has urged the British Government to take a swift decision on lifting the ban on flights to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Sir Gerald Howarth MP, chairman of the group, also said, in a recent TV interview, that a representative of the Department for Transport “felt that the conditions had been met to enable flights to resume”.

During the week-long visit, the four members of the group were given a briefing on the security procedures that have been introduced in the airport and across the resort areas.

They were taken “air-side” for an inspection of the handling of baggage at Sharm airport.

“We thought that they’d put in some pretty sophisticated checks there and we think a lot has been done,” commented Howarth. “But, most importantly, we talked to a representative from the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport who also felt that conditions had been met to enable flights to resume.

“I have already been in touch with the Prime Minister’s office and on behalf of my group, I have written a letter urging her to make a swift decision on this.”

During their visit the group also met the Egyptian President; Ministers for Justice, Tourism and Defence; the National Security Advisor; representatives of the Egyptian Parliament, and the Chairman of the newly formed Egypt-British Parliamentary group.

The purpose of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Egypt is to strengthen relations between British and Egyptian parliamentarians and promote British-Egyptian relations amongst both chambers of the UK Parliament. Aside from Sir Gerald Howarth MP, its other members are Lord Risby, Lord Dear and Lord Stone.