Egypt: UK lifts ban on flights to Sharm el-Sheikh

The United Kingdom Tuesday lifted travel restrictions to Egypt’s Red Sea Sharm el-Sheikh resort, four years after the Islamic State group (ISIS) brought down a Russian passenger jet.

British authorities in 2015 imposed ban on flights to and from the resort city in reaction to the downing of the aircraft shortly after takeoff. The jet was carrying 224 people including the crew. Most travelers were Russian holidaymakers.

The lifting of the ban followed security cooperation between the two countries, British envoy to Egypt Geoffrey Adams said.

Following the attack, Russia and the UK demanded improvement of security at all Egyptian airports and tourism sites. Several other airlines temporarily suspended flights to the North African country whose vibrant tourism sector depends heavily on British and Russian holidaymakers.

Russia last year also lifted the travel ban but has maintained flight restrictions to resorts on the Red Sea.