Lois Larson
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is an international airport located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It is the third busiest airport in Egypt and one of the busiest in the Middle East. The airport has a reputation for being poorly maintained, with issues such as a lack of free functioning WiFi, poorly maintained toilets, and aggressive attendants who expect money. In addition, there have been complaints about the behaviour of airport staff, including rudeness and mishandling of passenger property. However, other passengers have praised the airport's security measures, which include multiple security checks, bag scans, and metal detectors. While some travellers have expressed concerns about safety due to past incidents such as the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 in 2015, the Egyptian government has tightened security procedures to ensure the safety of passengers. Overall, despite some negative reviews regarding the airport's facilities and staff conduct, Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is considered safe by many travellers, and it continues to be a popular destination for tourists visiting Egypt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Security | Multiple security checks, including pat downs, luggage scans, and bag sniffs by dogs. Some travellers have reported feeling safe due to the heavy security presence, while others have criticised the security staff for being rude and unprofessional. |
| Sanitation | Toilets are reportedly poorly maintained and lack basic amenities like toilet paper. |
| Smoking Areas | The smoking and non-smoking areas are not adequately separated, leading to complaints about the entire terminal smelling of smoke. |
| WiFi | There is no free functioning WiFi available in the airport. |
| Food Options | There is a Burger King restaurant in the airport. |
| Historical Safety Concerns | In 2015, a plane approaching Sharm El Sheikh Airport had to take evasive action to avoid a missile, and a Russian plane departing from the airport was bombed, leading to a suspension of flights to the airport by many countries. |
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Security presence
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It is the third busiest airport in Egypt and one of the busiest in the Middle East.
The security presence at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is significant, with multiple security checks in place. Every passenger undergoes a pat-down search, and their bags are sniffed by German Shepherds. In addition, passengers go through metal detectors and have their hand luggage scanned multiple times. All phones and computers are also checked.
One passenger reported that security staff put their fingers inside a jar of labelled powdered dietary supplements and then licked their fingers. Another passenger reported that security staff touched their camera and pressed buttons, including one that removed all frames from the film.
The Egyptian government is highly conscious that another plane leaving Sharm El Sheikh Airport with a bomb on board could destroy tourism in the region. As a result, security at the airport is expected to be much tighter than at other Egyptian airports.
In addition to the heavy security presence at the airport, the Sharm El Sheikh area is also loaded with security, including police and road checks, with some reports of Apache helicopters patrolling.
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Terrorist attacks
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It is the third busiest airport in Egypt and one of the busiest in the Middle East.
On 31 October 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268, en route from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg, Russia, crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. The jihadist group ISIL claimed responsibility for the crash, which was believed by Western governments to be a terrorist bombing. In response, many countries, including Russia and several European nations, suspended flights to Sharm El Sheikh, citing safety concerns.
Prior to the Metrojet Flight 9268 incident, on 23 August 2015, Thomson Airways Flight 476, approaching Sharm El Sheikh from London Stansted Airport, had to take evasive action to avoid a missile, which passed within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of the plane. The plane landed safely, but this incident, along with the Metrojet crash, raised concerns about the safety of the airport and the surrounding region.
Following these events, the airport implemented enhanced security procedures, and in October 2019, the UK lifted its flight ban on flights between UK airports and Sharm El Sheikh. Other countries, such as Russia, have also resumed flights to the airport in recent years.
While there have been no recent reports of major terrorist attacks at the airport, it is important for travellers to stay informed about the latest security advisories and travel warnings from their respective governments.
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Airport staff
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It is the third busiest airport in Egypt and one of the busiest in the Middle East.
In recent years, the airport has faced several security concerns, which have impacted its reputation and passenger numbers. In 2015, a missile was fired at an approaching plane, missing it by about 1,000 feet (300 meters). The same year, a Russian plane, Metrojet Flight 9268, was bombed, resulting in a ban on flights to Sharm El Sheikh by the UK and other countries due to safety concerns. These incidents raised significant questions about the safety of the airport and the region.
However, since then, Sharm El Sheikh Airport has undergone a comprehensive overhaul of its security procedures. Multiple sources indicate that the airport now has tight security, with rigorous checks for passengers and their luggage. Every passenger is patted down, and their hand luggage is scanned multiple times. Sniffer dogs are used to check bags, and passengers undergo metal detector scans and walk-through metal detectors. Even airport employees are subject to the same stringent checks.
While some passengers have expressed frustration with the multiple security checks and the airport's organisation, cleanliness, and smoking policies, others have commented that the airport is very safe.
In terms of specific instructions for airport staff, here are some key points to ensure safety and improve the passenger experience:
- Ensure all security checks are conducted thoroughly and consistently for every passenger, including pat-downs, luggage scans, and metal detector screenings.
- Improve organisation and reduce wait times by allocating adequate staff to each security checkpoint and ensuring efficient processing of passengers.
- Enhance cleanliness, especially in the toilets, by increasing cleaning staff and providing necessary amenities like toilet paper.
- Establish separate smoking areas to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers, improving the comfort of all passengers.
- Provide clear and easily accessible information on complaint procedures to address issues effectively.
- Regularly review and update security procedures to maintain the highest safety standards and adapt to evolving threats.
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Sanitation
The airport itself is located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and is the third busiest airport in the country. It was originally an Israeli Air Force base, but after the signing of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty in 1979 and the subsequent Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, it was reopened as a civilian airport.
In terms of safety, the airport has a heavy security presence, with multiple security checks, bag scans, and metal detectors. Some travellers have expressed concerns about the thoroughness of these security measures, while others have noted that the procedures can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
Sharm El Sheikh has experienced security issues in the past, including a missile attack on an approaching plane in 2015 and the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 in the same year, which led to a temporary suspension of flights to the airport by several countries. However, following a comprehensive overhaul of security procedures, the UK lifted its flight ban on Sharm El Sheikh in 2019.
Crime rates in the area are generally low, but there are reports of muggings, sexual assault, and robbery. Travellers are advised to remain cautious, especially when travelling alone, and to avoid walking around at night. It is also important to follow food hygiene and water safety guidelines to prevent illness.
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Smoking areas
Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH), also known as Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, is located in the resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. It is a popular destination for tourists visiting the region's famous beaches and diving spots.
Regarding smoking areas at the airport, there are multiple designated smoking areas inside the terminal. However, it is important to note that smoking laws and regulations can change over time, so it is advisable to refer to current legislation or consult local authorities for the most up-to-date information. In general, smoking in Egypt is permitted in designated areas, such as outdoor spaces and designated smoking lounges within establishments.
Some travellers have reported varying experiences with smoking areas at the airport. One traveller mentioned that there was no smoking area airside in Terminal 3, while another traveller noted that there is a smoking area inside the departures area after the security check-in.
It is worth noting that smoking regulations in Egypt have been implemented to address public health concerns and reduce tobacco use. These regulations can vary, with some smoking areas allowing outside food and drinks while others may have restrictions or prohibit them altogether. It is recommended to check with the airport or refer to signage for specific rules pertaining to each smoking area.
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Frequently asked questions
The security at Sharm El Sheikh Airport is tight, with multiple security checks, metal detectors, and bag scans. However, there have been reports of unprofessional and unsafe behaviour by airport staff, and the airport's terminals do not effectively separate smoking and non-smoking areas.
Crime rates in Sharm El Sheikh are generally low, but there are reports of muggings, sexual assault, and robbery. It is important to remain cautious, especially when travelling alone or at night.
It is illegal to drink alcohol outside of licensed restaurants or bars in Sharm El Sheikh. Ingesting bacteria from poorly maintained swimming pools or other sources can also cause illness.
In the past, several countries, including Russia and the United Kingdom, have issued travel warnings and suspended flights to Sharm El Sheikh due to safety concerns. As of 2021, some countries have lifted these restrictions, but it is essential to check the latest government advice before travelling.
Sharm El Sheikh Airport employs various security measures, including pat-downs, bag scans, metal detectors, and identification of checked bags. These measures aim to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
