“We have not said they will 100% operate”.
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“We have been following the investigation closely to make sure that we take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of British citizens on flights from Sharm”, said the spokesperson.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said it is “more likely than not” that the plane was downed by a terrorist bomb.
The news came after a day of negotiations between the UK Government, Egyptian leadership and the airlines.
An airline has announced plans to repatriate British holidaymakers stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh tomorrow.
Other experts say it is too soon to gauge the impact on tourism because not enough is known about the cause of the plane crash.
However, Mr Hammond stressed the Foreign Office was not changing the travel advice with regard to the Sharm el-Sheikh resort itself, which it views as safe.
National media claim around 20,000 Brits are now staying in or around Sharm el Sheikh, but ABTA said around 9,000 Brits are on package holidays and this accounts for the vast majority.
She did not rule out the possibility of British personnel directly providing security at the airport, saying only: “There are a range of options being considered”. We have deployed extra consular staff to Sharm who will be on hand at the airport, working with the airlines, to assist British holidaymakers there.
“We will need to be confident that security standards meet our expectations and those of the public before we allow services to resume”.
Mr Hammond emphasised the travel advice affects Sharm el Sheikh airport – and not the resort itself.
Neither the United States nor the United Kingdom has shared intelligence about a possible bomb with Egyptian authorities, Egyptian officials said.
Although accidents, natural disasters and geopolitical rumblings are hazards of the job, so to speak, for a holiday company, you can’t deny Thomas Cook has had a pretty bad run of luck recently. The firm says it has contacted all the affected passengers.
Thomas Cook is offering customers due to travel to Sharm el Sheikh up to and including Thursday November 12 the opportunity to cancel or re-book their holiday free of charge, offering a £25 discount per person on the alternative holiday booked.
Those due to fly in the next week would be allowed to cancel or re-book with a £25 discount, the firm said.
A dedicated support line has also been set up for customers on 0800 009 3833. It said its customers will get a full refund.
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“Those people with bookings beyond this are advised to wait until closer to the departure date to contact their travel company as the situation is reviewed”.
