Sharm el-Sheikh crash: Monarch Airlines cancels all holidays to Egyptian resort until 20 December
Monarch Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh until 20 December, pushing the date back a further month from the current schedule.
The budget airline, along with rival EasyJet and holiday operator Thomas Cook, had been hoping to restart flights from 25 November.
However this afternoon it said that it was pushing back further following an announcement by the Department for Transport today, saying that the government expected all but 200 holidaymakers to be back in the UK by 17 November.
"Should tourists choose to remain in Sharm el-Sheikh after Tuesday 17 November 2015, they should make their own alternative arrangements for returning to the UK," the DfT said. "This may involve having to travel with an airline to which enhanced UK security measures, eg separate baggage flights, do not apply. Travellers are advised that they do so at their own risk."
Monarch said it would "strongly advise customers to adhere to the latest travel advice issued by the UK authorities and ensure that they are in contact with our customer contact centre to rebook their return".
"Monarch has made every effort to minimise the impact this will have to our customers and although the cause of this disruption is beyond our control we do apologise for any inconvenience," the airline added.
Monarch will operate two flights from Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) to London Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester (MAN) today – the first will depart at 4:40pm local time and arrive at Manchester at 8:50pm, while the second will leave at 5:35pm and arrive at Gatwick at 8:25pm.
"A Monarch representative will meet customers on arrival to assist with onwards travel arrangements," the firm said. "There will also be care packages available for pick up and push chairs for customers travelling with babies or toddlers."
Thomas Cook told City A.M. it was continuing to operate a ban up to and including 25 November, although customers with bookings up to 10 December can cancel or switch if they choose.
Booking conditions are "normal" for those who wished to visit Sharm after 10 December, "pending FCO advice".