Direct Line has advice for customers concerned about their travel plans following the Sinai plane crash
- Direct Line customers are covered for delayed departure.
- If Direct Line customers were due to travel in the next 28 days and cancel their holiday, if they have booked flights and a hotel separately, the company will cover the cost of cancellation.
- If Direct Line customers are not due to travel yet, extra security measures are being put in place, and the FCO will announce when it is safe to travel again.
- Register for updates at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt to make sure you get the latest information.
- If Direct Line customers are due to fly back while this advice is still in place, the company will extend cover until it is safe to return.
- The main tour operators have issued advice on their websites. Travellers concerned should check their tour operator’s website for additional information.
On October 31, an Airbus A321, operated by the Russian airline Kogalymavia, took off from Sharm el-Sheikh airport and disappeared from radar after just 22 minutes.
Egyptian military aircraft later found wreckage of the plane in the Hasana area, about 20 miles south of el-Arish.
All 224 people on board the plane were killed and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against “all but essential travel by air” to Sharm el-Sheikh.
The FCO estimates there are around 22,000 Brits currently in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Many tour operators have cancelled flight and holiday programmes to Sharm el-Sheikh until 12 November, with others still considering their options.
The BBC News website has live updates of what is happening regarding the disaster.
A spokesperson for Direct Line Travel Insurance, said: “All holidaymakers due to fly out to Egypt should contact their tour operator in the first instance. If their holiday is imminent, they will most likely be offered an alternative holiday.”
“In this instance, Direct Line will honour the insurance policy for the new holiday destination. Providing customers purchased the policy before the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) changed their advice yesterday, they will also be covered for cancellation. If a policy is purchased while the FCO advice is ‘all but essential travel’ then no cancellation cover will be provided for this event.”
“For holidaymakers in Egypt, again, the first point of call is the tour operator. After travellers have established what their tour operator is providing, they can then contact their insurer to discuss anything that is not already in place. The tour operators are usually very good at arranging alternative flights and accommodation in these circumstances.”
Direct Line customers who are still concerned can contact the company on 0345 246 8704.
Find out more about important FCO information you need to know before you travel