Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have collected any data on consumer demand in the UK to be able to travel on direct flights to Sharm El Sheikh; and if so, what assessment they have made of that data.

The Government took the decision to change travel advice against all but essential travel by air to Sharm El Sheikh as the safety and security of the public is our primary concern. We will not hesitate in putting in place any measures that we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.

This decision was based on security rather than economic grounds. The Government does not collect information on the economic value of outbound flights to specific global destinations and the value of them to the UK travel market.

We look forward to achieving the return of flights to Sharm el Sheikh, once we can be assured of there being the necessary secure and sustainable security situation.