Sweden gives green light to Egypt travel
Sweden's foreign ministry lifted its advisory against travel to tourist resorts on Egypt's Red Sea coast late on Monday.
However, the ministry continues to discourage Swedes from embarking on non-essential travel to other parts of the country.
Separately, Swedish tour operators have no plans to resume cancelled departures before the end of April as announced earlier this month.
"We advise against non-essential travel to Egypt except to tourist resorts. In those areas, we see that order has been restored," Joakim Larsson of the ministry's press office told news agency TT late on Monday.
The ministry defines "non-essential travel" as tourism and visiting friends. The previous warning advising against "all travel" also included business travel.
"We are always conducting an ongoing evaluation of the security situation. When we judge that there is permanent order, we will conduct a reassessment," said Larsson.
Swedish tour operators contacted by TT reiterated that they have no plans to resume interrupted trips. Apollo had previously cancelled all trips to Egypt until the end of April.
"The ministry does not change anything for us at the present time. We could possibly arrange a few trips a little earlier in April, but no decision has been made," said communications director Kajsa Moström.
Detur has cancelled all trips for the season following the earlier advice from the ministry. There is no indication that they will resume departures anytime soon.
"We have just refunded all the money to customers. It is not as easy as just taking a flight there and back," said Viveca Bjorkman, marketing manager at Detur.
Earlier, Solresor had also decided to cancel trips for the season and will probably not start up again immediately following the decision.
"There are still advisories against Cairo and Luxor and they are a big part of the journey," said communications director Pauline Berndtsson.
Fritidsresor will resume trips during the summer season starting at Easter. Ving will continue with its previous plans and resumes flights to Egypt on May 2nd.
The Swedish embassy in Cairo encourages Swedish citizens still in the country to register their presence by email or telephone.
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However, the ministry continues to discourage Swedes from embarking on non-essential travel to other parts of the country.
Separately, Swedish tour operators have no plans to resume cancelled departures before the end of April as announced earlier this month.
"We advise against non-essential travel to Egypt except to tourist resorts. In those areas, we see that order has been restored," Joakim Larsson of the ministry's press office told news agency TT late on Monday.
The ministry defines "non-essential travel" as tourism and visiting friends. The previous warning advising against "all travel" also included business travel.
"We are always conducting an ongoing evaluation of the security situation. When we judge that there is permanent order, we will conduct a reassessment," said Larsson.
Swedish tour operators contacted by TT reiterated that they have no plans to resume interrupted trips. Apollo had previously cancelled all trips to Egypt until the end of April.
"The ministry does not change anything for us at the present time. We could possibly arrange a few trips a little earlier in April, but no decision has been made," said communications director Kajsa Moström.
Detur has cancelled all trips for the season following the earlier advice from the ministry. There is no indication that they will resume departures anytime soon.
"We have just refunded all the money to customers. It is not as easy as just taking a flight there and back," said Viveca Bjorkman, marketing manager at Detur.
Earlier, Solresor had also decided to cancel trips for the season and will probably not start up again immediately following the decision.
"There are still advisories against Cairo and Luxor and they are a big part of the journey," said communications director Pauline Berndtsson.
Fritidsresor will resume trips during the summer season starting at Easter. Ving will continue with its previous plans and resumes flights to Egypt on May 2nd.
The Swedish embassy in Cairo encourages Swedish citizens still in the country to register their presence by email or telephone.
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