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Russian plane crash: Airlines to begin Sharm el-Sheikh repatriations to UK Russian plane crash: Airlines to begin Sharm el-Sheikh repatriations to UK
(about 1 hour later)
UK airlines will start to repatriate Britons in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh on Friday, the UK government has said. Airlines will start to bring back Britons from Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh on Friday, Downing Street has said.
Easyjet, Monarch and Thomson will run flights, with passengers subject to "special security measures". Easyjet, Monarch, Thomson and British Airways will all run UK-bound flights, with passengers facing a series of "additional security measures".
Thousands of Britons remain stranded in Egypt after the UK suspended all flights to and from the Red Sea resort. Passengers will only be able to carry hand luggage on board, with hold baggage to be transported separately.
Passengers will only be allowed on board with hand baggage while hold luggage will be transported separately, a spokesman said. Thousands of Britons remain in the Red Sea resort after the UK suspended all flights to and from it.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said it is "more likely than not" that a terrorist bomb caused a Russian passenger jet to crash on Saturday, killing all 224 on board. The government announced its decision to suspend flights on Wednesday, after fresh information emerged about the downing of a Russian airliner at the weekend.
The spokesman said there was a cross-Whitehall meeting of senior officials to review the government's decision to ground flights after the crash. Prime Minister David Cameron says it was now "more likely than not" that a terrorist bomb caused the crash, which killed all 224 on board.
"Our utmost priority is to make sure we have all the right measures in place to ensure that British citizens can return safely to the UK," he said. Further discussions
"The prime minister held talks on the situation with President Sisi earlier and, following further discussions with the airlines and the Egyptians we have agreed on a package of additional security measures that is being put in place rapidly." A Downing Street spokesman said there was a meeting of senior officials to review the government's decision to ground flights after the crash.
Your travel questions answered "Our utmost priority is to make sure we have all the right measures in place to ensure that British citizens can return safely to the UK.
Britons speak of Sharm el-Sheikh 'tension' "The prime minister held talks on the situation with President Sisi earlier and, following further discussions with the airlines and the Egyptians we have agreed on a package of additional security measures that is being put in place rapidly," the spokesman said.
Could IS have bombed Flight 9268? Outbound flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh remain suspended and the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh airport
The security measures include: British nationals in Sharm el-Sheikh are encouraged to check with their airline or tour operator on their travel plans:
British nationals in Sharm el Sheikh are encouraged to check with their airline or tour operator on their travel plans Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said hold luggage was "one of the big concerns we had" about security.
Earlier Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, told reporters that security at the airport was tightened 10 months ago at the UK's request.Earlier Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, told reporters that security at the airport was tightened 10 months ago at the UK's request.
British experts had then assessed security at Egyptian airports and found the measures were "good enough", President Sisi added.British experts had then assessed security at Egyptian airports and found the measures were "good enough", President Sisi added.
The leaders said the two countries were working together to get things back to normal as soon as possible. President Sisi said Egypt was working with the UK to get things back to normal as soon as possible.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Nick Hopkins, BBC Newsnight correspondentBy Nick Hopkins, BBC Newsnight correspondent
British officials last year raised concerns with the Egyptian authorities about lax security at the airports in Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo, BBC Newsnight has learned.British officials last year raised concerns with the Egyptian authorities about lax security at the airports in Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo, BBC Newsnight has learned.
In particular, the UK was worried about security around baggage handling and access to restricted areas.In particular, the UK was worried about security around baggage handling and access to restricted areas.
At a press conference with David Cameron in London today, Egypt's President Sisi confirmed a British security team travelled to Sharm el-Sheikh 10 months ago and decreed that the systems there were fine.At a press conference with David Cameron in London today, Egypt's President Sisi confirmed a British security team travelled to Sharm el-Sheikh 10 months ago and decreed that the systems there were fine.
However, UK officials continued to have doubts and feared that in recent months the situation at the airport "had slipped back", Whitehall sources said.However, UK officials continued to have doubts and feared that in recent months the situation at the airport "had slipped back", Whitehall sources said.
The UK decided to stop British flights in and out of the resort after assessing several different strands of intelligence, including material from GCHQ. It left the prime minister "no choice" but to act immediately, sources said.The UK decided to stop British flights in and out of the resort after assessing several different strands of intelligence, including material from GCHQ. It left the prime minister "no choice" but to act immediately, sources said.
"This analysis was put together by British intelligence and we have now passed the findings to relevant partners," said one official."This analysis was put together by British intelligence and we have now passed the findings to relevant partners," said one official.
Your travel questions answered
Britons speak of Sharm el-Sheikh 'tension'
Could IS have bombed Flight 9268?
Mr Cameron also discussed "joint counter-terrorism" with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone call on Thursday.Mr Cameron also discussed "joint counter-terrorism" with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone call on Thursday.
Mr Putin told the prime minister how important it was that assessments of the possible causes of the crash be based on information from the official investigation, a Kremlin spokesman said.Mr Putin told the prime minister how important it was that assessments of the possible causes of the crash be based on information from the official investigation, a Kremlin spokesman said.
In other developments:In other developments:
Meanwhile, British holidaymakers stranded in Egypt have spoken of confusion at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.Meanwhile, British holidaymakers stranded in Egypt have spoken of confusion at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
There are believed to be about 20,000 Britons in the popular resort area.There are believed to be about 20,000 Britons in the popular resort area.
Are you in Sharm el-Sheikh? Are you planning to travel to the Sinai region from the UK? Are you affected? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Sharm el-Sheikh? Are you planning to travel to the Sinai region from the UK? Are you affected? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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