Video footage shows British tourists angrily accosting the UK’s ambassador to Egypt over why they are still stranded at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
The British and Egyptian governments are engaged in a dispute over flights to bring British tourists home after the UK suspended flights from the UK to Egypt amid security fears.
Hundreds of British tourists are stranded at Sharm el-Sheikh airport, which serves a popular tourist destination, and have been told not to leave.
“People have got on and gone home so why can’t we? Why have they gone and we haven’t?” a British woman is seen to tell the UK ambassador John Casson.
“We’ve been told the planes can’t land. We’ve been told the Egyptian government are arguing with David Cameron and he’s not letting any planes land. We want to go home.”
The ambassador is seen struggling to get his words out in the face of the criticism.
The footage was shown by an ABC News reporter at the scene.
UK flights are reportedly being shown on the departure board at the airport but hundreds of tourists say they are still stranded.
The EasyJet airline,which serves the route, says Egyptian authorities are restricting the number of rescue flights allowed for British tourists.
The move comes after the UK restricted flights from the UK to Egypt amid security concerns. The British Government says it suspects a Russian plane brought down over Egypt was taken down by a bomb in the hold.
Other countries have not suspended flights to Egypt and the Egyptian government has accused the UK of overreacting.
The Department for Transport said it was urgently working with the Egyptian authorities to try to ensure planned flights leave.
“Travellers should keep in contact with their tour operators and shouldn't leave for the airport until they have a confirmed flight.”
