Turkish Airlines cancels flights to Sharm el-Sheikh

ISTANBUL

Turkish Airlines, Turkey's national air carrier, canceled its Thursday's flights to and from Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh due to security concerns.

The company announcement follows Saturday’s Russian jet crash in the peninsula which killed all 224 people on board.

Passengers and crew on board the Metrojet-operated flight, which was returning to St. Petersburg, Russia from the popular Egyptian holiday destination, were killed when their plane crashed in the Sinai desert.

Wreckage was spread over an extensive area and no SOS call was made, leading to speculation that a missile or bomb could have been involved.

On Wednesday, the U.K. and Ireland also directed airlines under their jurisdiction to avoid the Sharm el-Sheikh area over fears that Saturday’s crash may have been caused by a bomb, authorities from both countries announced.

However, British media reported late on Thursday that U.K.-operated flights to Sharm el-Sheikh would restart on Friday.

Turkish Airlines passengers can get information on their flights by phoning +90 212 444 0 849.