Check in times at Sharm?

[Alanwsg]

Just had an Email from Easyjet saying

"Due to changes in security measures, we strongly all passengers using either Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, or Tel Aviv airports to arrive 3 hours before your departure to ensure you allow sufficient time to get to your boarding gate"

I've never needed to get there this early before, is this something new or nothing to worry about?

[piton]

I went through Sharm last week and also 3 weeks ago- admittedly as crew so we are escorted to the front of any lines but I thought at the time (both times) that the airport seemed quite quiet (compared to previous experiences a year ago). If I was traveling there privately I would arrive 90 mins - max 2 hrs in advance. Of course if you are traveling at Easter maybe make that 2 - 2+. 3 hrs seems excessive!

[Espada III]

I travel from Tel Aviv regularly. There are stringent security procedures as follows: -

1. At the road entrance to the airport all cars are given a very brief inspection (usually just a couple of words between the driver and a security officer) ;

2. Before check-in, you are given the third degree about why you were in Israel, where you went, who you met etc. The queue length for this can take some time, but the questioning is only about five minutes at most.

3. Your hold luggage is x-rayed in front of you and you may be asked to account for any queries they see (just like hand luggage anywhere else).

Thereafter it is pretty much like every other airport. At busy times it can take an extra hour to get through because of the extra security. However, Easyjet and Jet2 check in at a small 'lo-cost' terminal so these times are usually much quicker. I have checked in for the 18:15 Jet2 to MAN at 17:00 without too many problems and have certainly checked in the for 16:45 Lufthansa at 15:00 with no issues at all and that's for a B744 flight.