- EasyJet said British planes into Sharm el-Sheikh and departures had been blocked by Egypt at the last minute
- Egyptian minister said only eight of 29 planned flights would leave amid growing row between Cairo and Britain
- Hossam Kamal said there wasn't enough space to store 120 tonnes of check-in baggage left behind at the airport
- Two easyJet planes did leave resort with 359 passengers, with both taking big diversions away from ISIS territory
- Vladimir Putin suspends all flights to Egypt on advice of his top spy and after a ten minute phone call with PM
Furious British tourists rounded on the UK ambassador to Egypt at Sharm el-Sheikh airport today as a massive operation to evacuate holidaymakers descended into chaos.
More than 20 'rescue flights' were set to leave the Red Sea resort today, but the plans were thrown into disarray after the Egyptian authorities blocked planes from leaving because there wasn't enough space to store luggage at the airport.
Officials said a requirement that passengers take only their hand luggage with them had forced the move as the airport could not accommodate more than 120 tonnes of check-in baggage left behind.
The cancellations come amid a mounting diplomatic row between the UK and Egypt after Cairo angrily dismissed claims by David Cameron that the Russian jet was very likely destroyed by a bomb planted at the airport.
Egyptian officials are furious that Britain's boycott of the resort will damage its vital tourism industry but have suffered a further blow after Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended all flights to Egypt on the advice of his top spy and after a tense ten-minute phone call with Mr Cameron.
The UK government has been left in the dark about why flights had been suspended, while a broken down plane at Sharm airport added to the mayhem.
Fury: British tourists rounded on the UK ambassador to Egypt John Casson at Sharm el-Sheikh airport today as a massive operation to evacuate holidaymakers descended into chaos
An employee of easyJet talks to stranded tourists waiting at the airport to be evacuated from Sharm el-Sheikh. The budget carrier had been due to operate 10 planes from the Red Sea resort on Friday, but said eight would not be able to operate because Egypt had suspended flights
Rescue plans were thrown into disarray after the Egyptian authorities blocked planes from leaving because there wasn't enough space to store luggage at the airport
Chaos: Tourists gather to check in at Sharm el-Sheikh airport. Rescue flights which had been due to bring thousands of stranded British holidaymakers back home from the Red Sea resort today have been cancelled at the last minute by Egypt
Support: Russian flights have continued as normal from Sharm el-Sheikh despite Britain's ban and these tourists wore pro-Putin T-shirts as they waited in the airport
Tourists gather at the check-in counters at Sharm el-Sheikh airport. More than 20 'rescue flights' were set to leave the Red Sea resort throughout today to evacuate the first Britons trapped in Egypt after planes were grounded on the orders of David Cameron
At just after 8am, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin was telling passengers who had their flights cancelled that they would be home tonight.
But barely an hour later, easyJet announced UK flights into Sharm had been suspended by the Egyptian government.
The claim caught Downing Street on the hop, with Mr Cameron's spokesman saying it was a 'complex and fluid situation'.
Airlines were told by the government to ensure their information to holidaymakers was 'accurate' but could not explain why the plan to evacuate thousands of people from the resort today were in chaos.
The spokesman said: 'The situation in Sharm is clearly a very fluid one. We are working closely with authorities on the ground to ensure that we get British nationals home quickly and safely.
'It is important that all the airline companies work closely with use to ensure that what they are telling passengers is accurate, giving them the best possible information.
'There is a broken down plane at the airport as well that is causing issuing with getting planes in and out.'
The spokesman said he was 'not aware of any other issues' with flights from non-UK countries landing at Sharm.
Egypt's civil aviation minister Hossam Kamal said only eight out of 29 planned flights to Britain would leave today, saying that flights were limited by the airport's capacity.
'The British airline (easyJet) wants to schedule 18 flights at the same time and wants to transport British passengers from Sharm al-Sheikh without their luggage, which we would have to transport later,' Minister of Civil Aviation Hossam Kamal said.
'This constitutes a huge burden on the airport because its capacity does not allow for that. We have asked them to organise eight flights only and one plane will transport luggage.'
Frustrated holidaymakers had earlier heckled British Ambassador John Casson when he arrived to give a press conference at the airport, shouting 'what's the problem?' and 'when will we get home'.
Carla Dublin, from Acton, who confronted Mr Casson directly as he walked through the airport, said: 'We have been told the Egyptian government are arguing with David Cameron and they are not letting planes in.
'So what's the problem, you are stuttering now, what's the problem? We were meant to be going home today.'
EasyJet earlier claimed that its flights into Sharm el-Sheikh and most departures were being blocked by Egyptian officials, with discussions taking place 'at the highest political level' to try to resolve the situation.
Two of its planes, however, were given permission to leave with 359 passengers.
The airline says one flight is headed to London's Gatwick airport with 180 passengers and another with 179 passengers is bound for London's Luton airport.
Both were seen on FlightRadar24 taking a big diversion over Hurghada in southern Egypt, far from ISIS territory on the Sinai peninsula, before continuing on over Cairo.
The lucky few: Passengers board one of the two Easyjet planes which left the resort today
The first of the stranded British holidaymakers make their way onto an easyJet flight at Sharm el-Sheikh airport to be flown home
Passengers take their seat on one of two easyJet flights which have taken off from Sharm airport with 339 British holidaymakers
The first of the 'rescue planes' - easyJet Flight 9854 - is seen taking a massive diversion over southern Egypt, away from ISIS territory in Sinai before heading to London over Greece
Easyjet, which had been due to take the first tourists back at around 11am, said the flights had been 'suspended by the Egyptian authorities'
Monarch and British Airways said they also still planned to operate flights back from Sinai today.
Frustrated travellers arrived at the airport earlier this morning only to find out their departures had been scrapped at the eleventh hour amid chaotic and angry scenes and were sent back to their hotels. It is not known why.
The operation has been taking place amid tightened security after it emerged British spies intercepted intelligence suggesting the Russian holiday jet was blown up by an ISIS bomb probably placed in the hold of the aircraft.
In a statement, Easyjet said: 'The Egyptian authorities have currently suspended UK airlines from flying into Sharm el Sheikh. This means that eight of easyJet's 10 planned flights today will no longer be able to operate.
'We are working with the UK Government at the highest level on a solution. In the meantime we are also working on a contingency plan so we can operate as soon as we receive permission to fly.'
A besieged Mr Casson denied that Egypt had banned British flights.
He said: 'There is good collaboration. Flights are coming that will allow us to take more people home today.
'There are just challenging logistical issues involved in making sure that flights can leave and arrive in a busy airport in line with international regulations in a way that can be safe.
'We are working through those issues and our expectation is to get as many people home as soon as possible.'
EasyJet announced that British flights into Sharm el-Sheikh and departures were being blocked by Egyptian officials, with discussions taking place 'at the highest political level' to try to resolve the situation
Frustrated travellers arrived at the airport earlier this morning only to find out their departures had been scrapped at the eleventh hour amid chaotic and angry scenes and were sent back to their hotels
His comments came as travellers spoke of their frustration after being told their flights had been scrapped only when they arrived at the airport.
Darrell Peter, 43, and partner Sarah Cook, 44, were told to go to the airport for their EasyJet flight but were sent back to their hotel after checking in.
Mr Peter, an IT managed from Amersham, Bucks, told MailOnline: 'We got a text to say "come to the airport".
'We got here at 10am, went through security and then about half an hour ago they said the flight is not going, we will update you. Go back to your hotel.
'It's a bit frustrating. It sounds a bit like the Egyptians have got the hump now, tit for tat sort of thing.'
Tourists wait at the security gate before the check-in counter at Sharm el-Sheikh airport today as the first 'rescue flights' were due to leave the Red Resort to bring back thousands of stranded British holidaymakers
British tourist, Mo Phelps, from Andover, England, waits for a wheelchair to assist her in boarding a flight from Sharm el-Sheikh, south Sinai, Egypt, on Friday
A tourist talks to staff from the British Embassy as other holidaymakers wait at the security gate at Sharm el-Sheikh airport. The evacuation has begun of 20,000 Britons trapped in Egypt after planes were grounded on the orders of David Cameron over fears a Russian jet was blown up by a bomb planted at the airport
Miss Cook, 44, a PCSO said: 'I don't feel angry. I'd prefer to be safe.
But if it is the Egyptians, they are not doing themselves any favours - it's a tourist destination. It is inconvenient but I don't care, I'd much rather be safe.'
Many travellers had already reacted angrily after being told they could only take hand luggage back home and later being informed that their flights had been delayed.
One airport source told MailOnline: 'We've still not reached an agreement with the British government.'
Others expecting to take off at 1pm have been not even to check in.
Sheila Garner, 63, and husband David 71, a retired bus driver, were hoping to leave today.
Last minute cancellations: Travellers vented their anger after being told their flights had been scrapped only when they arrived at the airport
Passengers at Egypt's Sharm El Sheik airport pass through security as flights bringing stranded British holidaymakers resume
Mrs Garner said: 'We've been told not to check in. They said the plane hasn't even arrived yet so it's not looking good.'
Dozens of Britons were milling around at the airport.
Holidaymakers can take only a handful of essential items with them including travel documents, house and car keys, medication, cash and credit cards.
All other luggage – including pushchairs, car seats and wheelchairs – will be returned to Britain separately by 'secure cover arranged by the UK Government'.
Gareth Millward, 30, from Middlesbrough said: 'I wouldn't want to get on without my bags. I think I will wait and see how long it will be before we can take them again.
'We are not responsible for bringing this plane down so I don't see why we should suffer the consequences.'
His partner Jorden Briggs, 23, added: 'We've spent a lot of money on presents and gifts and things.
'Other people will have personal and expensive things with them that they won't want to go missing.'
Evelyn Weir, 50, from Glasgow, who was on holiday with friends, said travelling without their main bags would be a 'huge inconvenience'.
She added: 'I don't see why they can't just scan all the bags beforehand? I don't think people will be happy about this.'
British tourists are also cutting their holidays short in an attempt to get home early after revelations that the intelligence services may have uncovered evidence of a bomb plot.
Lauryn Mudzimu, 35, from west London, is due to fly home on November 14 and said people who were supposed to be flying on the same dates have left their hotels and made their way to the airport.
'The announcement by the Government has caused a panic among almost all the British tourists here,' she said.
'Some people are due to leave on the 12th, but they have gone to the airport. A lot of people have checked out and left their hotels. They were in a panic saying they have to go.
'The locals are in panic as well, and that's affecting business and work.'
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin had said most of the British tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh who had been due to return to the UK by today would be home by the end of the day.
Waiting game: Travellers wait in the check-in hall of Sharm el-Sheikh airport today as they await news on their flights home
Long wait: The Government has pledged to get Britons out of Egypt as quickly as possible but admits it could take ten days to clear a backlog
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: 'The vast majority of people who were due to return home either Wednesday, Thursday or today will be back by today.
'There will be well in excess of 20 flights so that should cover most of the people.'
Thomson said nine flights would leave Sharm for the UK today, travelling to Manchester, Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Bristol and Doncaster.
EasyJet intends to operate nine flights from the Egyptian resort to the UK, while Monarch published details of five flights.
The first were due to leave the Red Sea resort at 11am local time (9am GMT), but have reportedly been delayed.
Around 15 flights scheduled for the major changeover day of Thursday were cancelled because of the security concerns, he added.
Mr McLoughlin added: 'This has been a very difficult set of circumstances and I do understand the frustration felt by people who are on holiday wanting to return home.'
He said current restrictions on hold luggage and the suspension of passenger flights into Sharm el-Sheikh would remain in place 'until we've got longer-term assurances about the security at the airport'.
Cancelled: All British flights to and from the Red Sea resort have been called off indefinitely leaving holidaymakers stranded and put back on buses to temporary accommodation
Stuck: British tourists stranded in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh are taken from the airport to hotels by bus to wait for news of when they can return home
Long wait: Cindy Crawford from Glasgow, sits on the outside the terminal reading on her phone as she joined hundreds of others waiting for more information on when she might get home
He added: 'At the moment, the advice is that we don't advise people to fly into Sharm el-Sheikh.
'We don't have any problems with the safety of the resort itself but we are concerned about flights into Sharm el-Sheikh.
'I hope we can restore our confidence in the security of the airport as soon as possible.'
He said there was a 'high probability' a bomb had been placed in the hold of the Metrojet plane.
He told Sky News: 'We've made our position very clear on that, that we think that is a high probability.
'We are obviously waiting for final confirmation of that, but we felt it was right to act on the information that we got and we did act.'
Airlines will resume services from the Egyptian resort amid tightened security, including a ban on carrying hold luggage.
The UK government suspended air links on Wednesday after a Russian plane crashed last weekend, killing 224 people.
Tourists line up inside the airport. Many have accused the Egyptians of 'down playing' the situation but praised the British government's decision to suspend flights amid safety concerns
Stuck: A group of British tourists wait in the airport to hear news of where they will go tonight after all flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh were cancelled indefinitely
Desperate: Amy Bond, 17, and Naomi Eade, 19, from Yeovil, left, admit they have no idea when they'll go home while Jorden Briggs and Gareth Millward, from Middlesborough, right, are desperate to get back to their eigh-month-old baby who is with family so they can have a break
EasyJet told passengers their hold luggage would be returned to them by courier.
It said: 'We anticipate that to be within the next seven days.'
Last night tour giant Thomson said the luggage arrangements were down to 'special security measures mandated by the UK Government'.
But passengers reacted angrily, saying they would not board a plane if they did not have their bags.
Any hand luggage they do carry must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of them and any oversized bags will be removed.
A No 10 source said the decision to ban hold luggage was taken in order to allow people to be flown home as quickly as possible.
Bags left behind will then be subject to intensive screening before being flown home on separate flights 'as soon as possible'.
The source added: 'We realise this will cause disruption for passengers, but our priority is to get people back as quickly as we can.'
Mr McLoughlin confirmed hold luggage was 'one of the big concerns we had' about security.
Asked why it was necessary to leave the hold empty, he said: 'Without going into too much of the information that we have received and had before, we think this is one of the ways of making sure the people who are returning are safe.'
Passengers were also warned to brace themselves for 'very robust screening' before they board their flight, which could take hours to complete.
Intelligence: Drone footage shared showed an aerial view of the Metrojet crash site in Sinai, Egypt on Tuesday, which British spies believe was from a bomb in the hold
Whitehall sources revealed that, in the days after the Russian airliner (pictured) was downed last weekend, they trawled back through communications data intercepted on suspects in Syria and Egypt
It has been reported that British spies uncovered an ISIS bomb plot in the region following the tragedy.
Mr Cameron said it was 'more likely than not' the Russian aircraft was brought down by a terrorist explosive device.
The Government gave approval for flights to resume after a day of intense negotiations with Egyptian leaders and the airlines.
Mr McLoughlin confirmed that British experts had visited Sharm el-Sheikh airport 10 months ago to check on security arrangements and had 'satisfied ourselves that things were OK'.
Asked on Good Morning Britain why security failings had been missed, the Transport Secretary said: 'I don't think we missed them. We took a view on security as we saw it on the day.
'Things have moved on, and what happened on Saturday and the subsequent information we got gave us very great concern indeed about the security, and that's why we took the decision that we took.
'We have to work with the authorities in these airports and we got assurances that things were improved. Obviously, things have changed.'
Possible proof: A picture of one of the crashed Airbus A321's doors show it bearing 'pockmarks' on the inside, which could be evidence of shrapnel from a bomb that has gone off inside the plane
Terror zone: An area of Egypt is now considered too dangerous to fly over as well as the threat of poor security at Sharm El Sheikh airport has led to the travel
Mr McLoughlin said the UK routinely sent experts to airports around the world to check on security, and said this week's events would 'send a message' to other countries about the need to maintain standards.
But he said it was not possible for Britain to intervene and provide its own security if it was concerned about measures in place: 'It's absolutely right that it has to be the state involved that does security. We don't have the power.'
President Vladimir Putin told David Cameron in a phone call on Thursday that all countries should wait for the completion of the Russian-Egyptian investigation before reaching conclusions on the cause of the crash.
Announcing the resumption of flights from the popular Red Sea beach resort, Downing Street said: 'Our utmost priority is to make sure we have all the right measures in place to ensure that British citizens can return safely to the UK.
'The Prime Minister held talks on the situation with President (Abdel Fatah) Sisi and, following further discussions with the airlines and the Egyptians, we have agreed on a package of additional security measures that is being put in place rapidly.
'The additional security measures will include permitting passengers to carry hand baggage only and transporting hold luggage separately.'
Outbound flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh remain suspended and the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel by air to or from the airport, but the UK is continuing to work with Egypt to get back to normal service 'as soon as possible', said Number 10.
When travellers and passengers are stuck in such an incident at the airport, they get worried so airport admin needs to take care of every traveller and passenger.
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