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Russian plane crash: Most flights halted as Britons leave Egypt Russian plane crash: Most flights halted as Britons leave Egypt
(35 minutes later)
Planes have begun bringing back UK tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh - but Egypt says only eight of 29 flights planned for Friday will operate.Planes have begun bringing back UK tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh - but Egypt says only eight of 29 flights planned for Friday will operate.
UK flights were halted on Wednesday amid fears that a Russian plane crash last week was caused by a bomb.UK flights were halted on Wednesday amid fears that a Russian plane crash last week was caused by a bomb.
One of two Easyjet flights which left Egypt earlier has landed in the UK.One of two Easyjet flights which left Egypt earlier has landed in the UK.
Egypt said there was too much luggage at the airport as UK passengers are only allowed to take hand baggage - hold luggage will be taken separately.Egypt said there was too much luggage at the airport as UK passengers are only allowed to take hand baggage - hold luggage will be taken separately.
The Russian Metrojet Airbus A321 aircraft was flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg on Saturday when it crashed in the Sinai desert, killing all 224 people on board.The Russian Metrojet Airbus A321 aircraft was flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg on Saturday when it crashed in the Sinai desert, killing all 224 people on board.
UK investigators believe terrorism is the most likely cause of the disaster, and that a bomb may have been put in the hold before take-off. They have cited intelligence believed to be based on intercepted communications between militants in the Sinai.UK investigators believe terrorism is the most likely cause of the disaster, and that a bomb may have been put in the hold before take-off. They have cited intelligence believed to be based on intercepted communications between militants in the Sinai.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that all Russian passenger flights to Egypt be stopped until the cause of the crash is established.Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that all Russian passenger flights to Egypt be stopped until the cause of the crash is established.
Britons speak of Sharm el-Sheikh 'tension'Britons speak of Sharm el-Sheikh 'tension'
Could IS have bombed Flight 9268?Could IS have bombed Flight 9268?
How has airport security changed?How has airport security changed?
Flight confusionFlight confusion
Airlines said there were changes to their original flight plans:Airlines said there were changes to their original flight plans:
The UK government cancelled flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday. Flights from the resort have since been permitted to return stranded passengers, but as a security measure, only hand luggage is being allowed on board, with hold baggage being transported later. Hossam Kamal, Egypt's civil aviation minister, said the decision to restrict luggage on UK flights had forced them to reduce the number operating because the airport could not accommodate more than 120 tonnes of check-in baggage left behind.
Hossam Kamal, Egypt's civil aviation minister, said the decision had forced flight restrictions because the airport could not accommodate more than 120 tonnes of check-in baggage left behind. A COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room) meeting of security officials met earlier to review the situation in Egypt.
Passengers on flights that did not operate as expected were cancelled have described being sent back through security and told to return to their hotels. After the meeting a spokesman said: "This is a hugely complex operation. We continue to work closely with both the Egyptian authorities and the airline carriers to get people safely home as quickly as possible. But the sheer scale of the task poses a number of logistical complexities.
A government spokesman added there "was no guarantee that everyone who should have returned by Friday will have returned by tonight", despite earlier suggestions that this might be possible. "We are working with airlines to ensure passengers get the message not to make the journey to Sharm airport until airlines have absolute confirmation that they will be able to travel."
He said the situation was "complex and fluid" and matters had been complicated by a broken down plane at the airport. Easyjet and Thomas Cook said it would cover the costs of additional accommodation and reasonable expenses for anyone affected by the disruption.
In a statement on its website, Easyjet said it would cover the costs of additional accommodation and reasonable expenses for anyone affected by the disruption. 'Get us home safely' say passengers
It added: "We are working with the UK government at the highest level on a solution. In the meantime we are also developing a contingency plan so we can bring our customers home as early as possible, once we get permission to fly."
'Get us home safely'
Tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh described how they were feeling about the situation.Tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh described how they were feeling about the situation.
Paul Milton is part of a group of 10 travellers. He said: "We just need to wait it out. We have got total faith in the British government. The main thing is getting home safe."Paul Milton is part of a group of 10 travellers. He said: "We just need to wait it out. We have got total faith in the British government. The main thing is getting home safe."
Tahir Zarif described scenes of confusion: "Thompson unloaded a full coach an hour ago and have moved everyone back into the hotel. Apparently there are around 1,500 people waiting to get into the airport," he said.Tahir Zarif described scenes of confusion: "Thompson unloaded a full coach an hour ago and have moved everyone back into the hotel. Apparently there are around 1,500 people waiting to get into the airport," he said.
Lauryn Mudzimu, 35, from west London, is due to fly home on 14 November. She said people who were supposed to be flying on the same date have already left their hotels and made their way to the airport. Lauryn Mudzimu, 35, from west London, is due to fly home on 14 November. She said people who were supposed to be flying on the same date had already left their hotels and made their way to the airport.
"The announcement by the government has caused a panic among almost all the British tourists here," she said. "Some people are due to leave on the 12th, but they have gone to the airport. A lot of people have checked out and left their hotels. They were in a panic, saying they have to go.""The announcement by the government has caused a panic among almost all the British tourists here," she said. "Some people are due to leave on the 12th, but they have gone to the airport. A lot of people have checked out and left their hotels. They were in a panic, saying they have to go."
Kevin Murphy, 28, from Newcastle, is visiting Sharm el-Sheikh with his girlfriend. He said: "We were due to be flying back on Monday with Thomas Cook but we keep hearing different stories.Kevin Murphy, 28, from Newcastle, is visiting Sharm el-Sheikh with his girlfriend. He said: "We were due to be flying back on Monday with Thomas Cook but we keep hearing different stories.
"We have been told we could be flying earlier, that it could be today [Friday], but the reps have told us we should be flying as normal.""We have been told we could be flying earlier, that it could be today [Friday], but the reps have told us we should be flying as normal."
Passengers have been advised to only bring essential items such as passports, car and house keys, money, medicines, and mobile phones.Passengers have been advised to only bring essential items such as passports, car and house keys, money, medicines, and mobile phones.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said UK security officials were at the airport monitoring the baggage screening process.Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said UK security officials were at the airport monitoring the baggage screening process.
He said the government was making arrangements to ensure the luggage would be returned to passengers in a week to 10 days.He said the government was making arrangements to ensure the luggage would be returned to passengers in a week to 10 days.
Analysis
By Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent
The speed with which the British government pointed to terrorism as the possible cause of the downing of the Russian Airbus over the Sinai Peninsula has not gone down well in either Cairo or Moscow.
For the Egyptians the stakes are obvious: Sharm el-Sheikh and the wider tourism industry are a crucial element of its economy.
This episode has punctured the long-held Egyptian narrative that Sharm el-Sheikh, its airport and resort hotels are insulated from the wider chaos in the Sinai.
For the Russians, an attack linked to so-called Islamic State is also problematic.
IS is the declared target of its air operations in Syria, but in reality Russian warplanes have largely been striking other rebel groups. IS may now find itself in Russia's sights.
But if IS did bring down the airliner this could exacerbate concerns amongst Russian public opinion that their country's engagement in Syria is provoking some unpleasant blow-back.
Are you due to return from Sharm el-Sheikh to the UK today? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you due to return from Sharm el-Sheikh to the UK today? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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