BA suspends Sharm el-Sheikh flights "indefinitely"

British Airways has suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh "indefinitely" amid ongoing concerns about security.

The carrier stopped flights between the UK and the Red Sea resort in November after the bombing of a plane, and had previously cancelled up until a specific date based on government advice.

But the airline has now issued a statement saying: "The safety and security of our customers will always be our top priorities and we have suspended our flights from Gatwick to Sharm el-Sheikh indefinitely.

"Customers who hold bookings on any cancelled services for the coming winter season can claim a full refund or can use the money to cover a new booking with us for an alternative destination."

The UK Government suspended flights to Sharm in November after a plane operated by Russian airline Metrojet crashed, killing over 200 people.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website states: "As a precautionary measure, we are advising against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh" - a warning that has been in place since the attack.

Other airlines have told customers they hope to resume flying to Sharm, with an easyJet spokesperson saying that the low-cost carrier was "committed" to resuming services to the resort.

They added that it will not happen until government advice changed.

Monarch has cancelled flights to Sharm up until October 30, and said in a statement that they hope to resume services from the start of the winter season.

Thomson Airways has suspended flights to the Egyptian airport until at least September 28, and said that the FCO had given "no updates or indications" as to when travel advice may change.

A spokesperson said: "We would like to thank our customers for their continued patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused whilst the current FCO advice is in place."

Flights from the UK to the resort will only start again once UK authorities are satisfied that security at Sharm el-Sheikh airport is robust enough, according to the Association of British Travel Agents.