The new airport rules that nearly ruined my holiday
FAMILIES wanting a hot, affordable holiday this year is likely to head to Egypt this half term.
Not only is the weather around 30C, but a recent study found Egypt to be one of the cheapest destinations for Brits this year.
I headed to the country myself, opting for a break at the popular resort of Hurghada.
However, holidaymakers should be aware of a number of new checks being enforced at the airport – and it could make you miss your flight home.
After arriving at Hurghada Airport, I was made to show my passport before even entering the terminal, as well as put my bag through a scanner.
Despite checking in online, I was then told that I had to check in again, as I had to go through immigration forms.
While it is wise to check in before your flight, don’t think this means you can skip the airport check in desks.
Yet I discovered this was just the start of what would be the craziest number of checks I could have imagined.
The first check was immigration, where my passport and bag was checked again, before having to go through security – having my suitcase and passport checked once again.
And after leaving security? I was called over AGAIN to have my boarding pass stamped.
After all that stress, I had hoped that would be it and I could enjoy a bit of duty free shopping.
But alas – upon trying to get to my plane gate, another security guy stopped me to check my passport, only for me to have to queue to have my entire suitcase opened and looked through again while they swabbed me.
So just to get to my gate, my passport was checked a whopping six times while my bags were scanned four times.
Speaking to other travellers who often visit Hurghada, they were just as stunned.
One told me: “I’ve never seen so many checks – you usually just get checked at the airport entrance and then speed through security.”
Another said: “I can’t believe they were being so strict – although wonder if it is due to the current Sudan crisis.”
The conflict in neighbouring country Sudan has seen many fleeing the country, including a number of Brit evacuation flights.
Despite asking why there were so many additional security measures, staff didn’t shed any light on the issue.
While I made my flight that was only because I arrived two hours before we were due to fly, and all of the processes took at least an hour combined.
So families planning on a holiday to Hurghada will want to give themselves enough time to get back to the UK – as anyone running late is unlikely to make their flight.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Egypt Tourism for comment.
If you do fancy a holiday to Egypt this summer, there are lots of destinations to choose from that have cheap all-inclusive deals.