EasyJet to make Sharm el-Sheikh return

EasyJet’s move to resume flights to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh this summer marks a further return by a UK operator to what had been a key leisure destination. UK carriers had been prohibited from flying to Sharm el-Sheikh because of security concerns after a Russian-operated Airbus A321 crashed in Sinai in October 2015 – a loss which Russian authorities believe was the result of sabotage. While other countries that had similarly implemented a ban in the aftermath of the crash, such as Germany and Turkey, lifted the restrictions within a year, the UK continued to block its carriers from flying into Sharm el-Sheikh airport. The UK finally lifted the restrictions in October 2019. Travel group TUI UK had already in November outlined plans to restore Sharm el-Sheikh services. TUI will begin flights to the Egyptian resort from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester in February, adding further connections from Bristol and Doncaster Sheffield in May. Now EasyJet has announced it will operate twice-weekly flights to the Red Sea resort from both Gatwick and Manchester. The Manchester service will begin on 7 June, followed by Gatwick on 30 September.<br/>