Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria he will use to determine whether to lift the ban on flights from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh.

The Department for Transport conducts expert assessments on aviation security at overseas airports. We do not assess the impact on the tourism and airline industries of any restrictions on flights. However, I fully recognise that Egypt is an important partner for the UK, with British businesses both serving the resort, as well as delivering a sizeable contribution to Egypt’s economy more widely. UK aviation security experts have worked closely with their Egyptian counterparts, sharing their expertise in establishing effective security arrangements. However, it is long standing government policy not to comment in detail on security matters. We continue to work in a spirit of partnership, and are grateful for Egypt's close engagement and cooperation. We look forward to achieving the return of flights once we can be assured that the necessary security environment can be sustained.