June 21 (Reuters) - British Airways has extendedits suspension of flights to the Egyptian resort of Sharmal-Sheikh indefinitely, becoming the first major UK airline tocancel departures for the crucial winter season in Egypt.
British and Russian governments banned their airlines fromflying to Sharm al-Sheikh, a popular winter sun destination,because of concerns about security at the local airport afterthe suspected bombing of a Russian passenger jet in October 2015killed all 224 people on board.
Tourism is a key source of income for the Egyptian economybut the number of tourists fell 40 percent in the first quarterof 2016, partly hurt by the flight ban keeping British andRussian tourists away.
"The safety and security of our customers will always be ourtop priorities and we have suspended our flights from Gatwick toSharm al-Sheikh indefinitely," British Airways said in astatement on Tuesday.
Customers with bookings on any cancelled services for the winter season will be offered a full refund or can put the moneytowards a new flight to an alternative destination, it added.
Other British airlines, such as Monarch and easyJet,have previously said they hoped to restart flights to Sharmal-Sheikh for the winter season beginning in October, althoughthat is dependent on advice from the UK government, which has sofar not changed.
Egyptian tourism minister Yehia Rashed last month called onthe British and Russian governments to rethink their position onthe flight ban.
Egypt's efforts to revive its tourism industry suffered afresh blow in May when an EgyptAir plane crashed into theMediterranean, killing all 66 people on board. The cause of thecrash is still unknown.
Monarch has cancelled all flights up to October 30, easyJetfor the rest of the summer season, while tour operators Thomsonand First Choice, part of the TUI Group, have cancelleduntil Sept. 28.
"Should the travel advice change prior to 30 October,Monarch will reassess the situation and decide when to restartservices to Sharm El Sheikh," Monarch said. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Keith Weir)