Sharm El-Sheik Flights

The British government has advised national airlines to stop flying in and out of Sharm El-Sheik as a result of suspicions surrounding the crash of the Russian Airline over the Sinai desert last Saturday. There is a suspicion that a bomb was planted on the plane.

The British government is right to exercise caution even though an air accident report has not been finished or concluded that the flight came down as a result of a bomb on board.

Some of the holidaymakers who are now stranded believe that the government should not have intervened and that individuals are responsible for their own safety. Many will disagree with this opinion. I support the British government's action as it is duty bound to protect the public as best it can. I feel that I am responsible for my own safety but I am more cautious than the government.

I am careful not to fly over a war zone just to go on holiday. In the past I have travelled a lot for business and often I felt very uncomfortable flying over the Middle East but I took a calculated risk. For a holiday in the sun, where I could go for a walk on a beach or a swim and  then enjoy a glass of wine afterwards without disapproving looks or upsetting the locals I preferred Spain.

With regard to airport safety, security is often only tightened up after there has been an incident which means that if an airliner is victim of air piracy, a bombing or a ground to air missile, then there has been a fault in security. Travellers should be aware that governments and travel corporations may neglect security because of incompetence or a lack of will or both.

If the Russian airliner was downed  by a ground to air missile fired by guerilla fighters then it may be dangerous to fly over the Sinai desert even if, officially, it remains open for air companies to use it. The area could now be unsafe to travel home from by air; but hopefully not.

If  your government advises you not to travel to an area our country then you are probably better off heeding their advice; they might know something that you do not.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34730104