Restrictions cause issues for Sharm al-Sheikh rescue flights

British tourists will begin travelling home from Sharm al-Sheikh on Friday as the UK resumes flights from the Egyptian resort, however the plan is causing issues for some airlines.

BBC News reported that UK investigators believe a bomb was put in the hold of Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 prior to take-off, killing all 224 people on board.

A Sinai-based group affiliated with Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the crash.

A spokesperson from Downing Street confirmed late on Thursday the plan to allow citizens to return home safely.

Flights from the resort to the UK will resume with additional security measures, but flights from the UK remain suspended.

easyJet said in a statement on Friday that as Egyptian authorities have suspended UK airlines from flying in, eight of their 10 planned flights for the day were no longer be able to operate.

“We are working with the UK Government at the highest level on a solution," it said. "In the meantime we are also working on a contingency plan so we can operate as soon as we receive permission to fly."

Passengers travelling from the resort will only be able to carry on hand luggage, and any hold luggage will need to be transported separately.

The spokesperson said Downing Street is working with airlines to ensure there are arrangements to get passengers’ bags back to the UK.

The spokesperson said the Prime Minister has met with Egyptian president President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and also talked with Russian president Vladimir Putin about the measures and the investigation.

Thomas Cook Airlines, easyJet, privately-held Monarch, British Airways and Thomson operate direct flights between Britain and Sharm al-Sheikh, and Reuters reported about 20,000 British tourists are believed to be in the area.

The Foreign Office is continuing to advise against all but essential travel to the city.