UK-SSH flights
 

I was wondering if anyone can tell me how UK-Sharm El Sheikh flights are doing a month after the terrible events there?

A brief search shows that the vast majority of flights have been maintained (only a few cancellations in the immediate aftermath). Also the new winter 05/06 and summer 06 schedules published by tour operators shows siginificant increases in capacity to Sharm which seems like a positive sign.

In addition the Egyptian authorities have reduced airport fees at Sharm El Sheikh Ophira Airport by 50% to attract airlines. Egyptair and Astraeus have maintained their LHR/LGW/MAN-SSH scheduled flights and GB Airways's plans for LGW-SSH flight seem unaffected (3 weekly A320 flights from 22/10/05).

Any feedback would be appreciated.

I understand that the Foreign Office has not issued a warning to UK folk visiting, so those that have already booked will lose everything if they cancel. Travel insurance will NOT compensate, nor do the tour operators have to re-book you elsewhere?

As for booking for this coming winter and for next summer, I cannot comment, but sitting at home with all the glossy brouchures, are folk going to book a nice 'safe' holiday in Egypt?

My guess is that there will be a lot of consolidation within the industry?

http://static.zsl.org/images/width15...04-web-305.jpg

As opposed to 'safe' London, Turkey, Madrid, Lebanon?

What do you mean consolidation?

Consolidation. Tour operator speak for poor bookings and combining those onto far fewer flights.

Agreed about London, but it is a major capital centre unlike the Egyptian resort. Folk still have to come to London for whatever reason.

Mr & Mrs Buster might have considered a winter holiday in SSH, but would now go elsewhere, the winter sun list is endless and the thought of radical idiots blowing themselves and potentially us up, is not on our agenda!

You can never eliminate the threat of terrorism, but you can reduce it, thus in my opinion, bookings to Egypt will be down this coming winter?

http://static.zsl.org/images/width15...04-web-305.jpg

Sharm will take some time before it recovers (anaylsts and the WTO predict another 3-4 months) but bookings to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Marsa Alam are as normal.

I see your point but why have tour operators increased flights/capacity to Sharm (lets forget the rest of Egypt for a now)?

Sharm authorites have said that the number of Italian, East European, Russian and British tourist numbers to Sharm are recoving faster than expected.

The number of Germans is expected to almost double
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o240825e.htm.

Here is a list of some of the new routes Thomson are starting this summer:

- Manchester-Marsa Alam
- Stansted-Sharm El Sheikh
- Luton-Hurghada
- Birmingham-Marsa Alam
- Birmingham-Taba
- Doncaster-Sharm El Sheikh

Even in the aftermath of the bombings we have not had one cancellation and it has not put people off travelling as far as we can see. My company specialises in Turkey, Red Sea and Gambia so obviously we would notice if there was a dramatic fall in bookings.

Our SSH flights are full - weekly, with no sign of downturn. Egypt offers excellent weather (year round),in good quality hotels with good service, all at a sensible cost. Add to that a diving region rated amongst the best in the world, it has always had a large diving community visitor base. Diving is a growing sport - and Egypt is a cheap, high quality place in which to do it.

Nice to see Thompson's expanse into other airports other than SSH. Surprised not going to HRG more. Plenty of resorts hotels around Hurghada which match those of Sharm, and also serves El Gouna - a piece of paradise on the Red Sea!

Marsa so far has little to offer, and I'd be surprised if the capacity increase there will be utilised fully. Nothing available at all outside of the hotels, and very few of those there. I have no doubt however that will change over the coming years as this new resort area develops. As yet, it really is very new, with no facilities.

30W

Thomsonfly/Britannia have cut their winter programme to Egypt from 30 flights per week to 23. Routes that have gone from this winter programme include DSA-SSH.

Travel Agent, glad to hear that

30W, Hurghada has never been hugely popular with British tourists and its remained a hotspot for Russians and Germans. I have to agree El Gouna is a fantast divespot and resort.

As for Marsa Alam, the airport is expecting a 38% increase in numbers compared to 2004, with the Italians making up a whopping 93% of all passengers. As you said the resort is a little bare at the moment but the authorities have serious plans for the area not just a resort but also a commercial and residential centre.

ric180880, are you sure? It seems only 3 flights have been removed. Can you tell me which 7 routes you say are being removed?

BY are starting a new 2x weekly GLA-Sharm el sheik flight this winter and TCX and EXL also operating GLA-Sharm this winter.

When I checked in July, I found 3 GLA-SSH flights this winter:
1x TCX (B757), 1x MYT (A321) and 1x BY (B757)

So have BY and XL added new flights? Do MYT still plan their weekly flight?

airmemphis the following routes have been cut:

DSA - SSH on a Sunday
GLA - SSH on a Sunday
BHX - SSH on a Sunday
BHX - TCP on a Friday and a Wednesday
BHX - RMF (Sorry not sure which day this was on)
LTN - HRG on a Tuesday
MAN - SSH on a Thursday

Also many Egypt flights from MAN & LGW are now on 757's instead of 767s.

Thanks for the info ric180880. It seems BHX bore the brunt of the cut backs.

Do you think they may decide reinstate some of them by November or at the start of the summer 06 season?

How are new bookings?

They are for now jetsetterbfs but don't be holding your breath too long!

I've just contacted LTN and was told the flight is going ahead as usual...

Only what I've been told from the tourop & retail side.

Unfortunately First Choice will not fly LTN-SSH this winter, but Thomson will continue with their year-round LTN-SSH service.

Thomson has dropped plans to triple capacity for Egypt, slashing its flight programme by more than 20% in the wake of July’s Sharm el-Sheikh bombings.
Doncaster to Sharm el-Sheikh, are among those scrapped.
A second weekly Glasgow to Sharm service will debut, buying seats from First Choice.

Fingers crossed they'll reinstate some services in November as demand for Egypt continues to recover at a much higher pace than expected (according to WTO, Egyptian tourist ministry and a number of tour operators incl peltours and TUI)