Airlines’ orders to avoid Egypt tourist spot remain

The Irish Aviation Authority is not withdrawing its direction to Irish airlines to avoid the Sinai Peninsula and Sharm el Sheikh Airport despite complaints by the Egyptian Ambassador.

Ambassador Soha Gendi said she was greatly concerned at the no-fly order which followed fears that a bomb downed the Russian Airbus shortly after it left Sharm last Saturday, killing all 224 people on board.

“A decision of this importance should not be built on assumptions, but should wait until investigations are concluded,” she said.

She said tourists had nothing to fear from visiting the region. “Egypt maintains the highest standards and measures in securing tourists of all nationalities and in the navigation of flights in and out of Egypt.”

The IAA, however, said the order it issued to Irish airlines on Wednesday remained in place. It has directed Irish airline operators not to fly to or from the popular tourist region until further notice.

There are currently no Irish tour operators with package holiday groups in Sharm El Sheikh as charters ended for the season in recent weeks. The number of Irish who may be in the region after travelling independently or with UK tour groups is unclear.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said advice had been given to a “very small number” of Irish citizens and he urged any Irish still there who had concerns to contact the Irish Embassy in Cairo.

“We continue to monitor the situation in Egypt through our Embassy in Cairo and are in close contact with our EU colleagues. We will continue to review and update travel advice as appropriate,” he said.

Flights to and from Cairo are not affected by the IAA directive but the Department is advising against non-essential travel. The phone number for the Embassy of Ireland in Cairo is [phone].