Double vaccinated UK travellers will no longer have to show proof of a negative PCR test upon arrival in Turkey

Travellers over the age of 12 must be fully inoculated to avoid the requirement and those under the age of 12 are exempt.

 

All arrivals must complete an online health form a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel. Tourists do not need to complete the form if they’re transiting through Turkey on the way to another country.

 

UK visitors will need to either show proof of vaccination, recent recovery from Covid-19 or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before travelling if unvaccinated.

 

The destination, which reportedly welcomed two and a half million British tourists in 2019, was removed from the UK’s red list on 22 September.

 

The Turkish Tourism Board in the UK said the country is "ready and excited" to welcome back UK tourists "With no requirement for PCR tests, and following our removal from the UK government’s red list, travelling to Turkey couldn’t be easier," it added.

 

"With warm temperatures, welcoming people, stunning coastlines and wonderful local cuisine all just a few hours flight away, Turkey is the perfect destination for UK families this half-term."

 

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy said the airline and operator have experienced "enormous demand" from customers for trips to Turkey since it was removed from the red list.

"Turkey is one of our most popular destinations for customers who want some late-summer sunshine, an October break or some winter sun, so this really is fantastic news for UK holidaymakers," Heapy added.

"Additionally, it is another welcome step on the road to reopening international properly. We urge other overseas governments to follow the Turkish government in allowing UK holidaymakers to reap the benefits of the vaccine rollout."

British tourists 'among dead' in Egypt balloon accident

By Phil Davies 

British nationals are reported to be among the 18 foreign tourists killed in a hot air balloon crash in Egypt this morning. 

Egyptian police said the victims include nine from Hong Kong, four from Japan, two from the United Kingdom, two from France and two from Egypt, according to the BBC.

A total of 21 tourists and a pilot were onboard the hot air balloon during a sunrise flight when it caught fire and exploded, plunging into fields west of the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor today, state-run Nile TV reported.

At least two people, including the balloon's pilot, reportedly survived, apparently by jumping out of the balloon before it crashed, after it caught fire when it was at 1,000 ft (300m).

Sky News reported that two Britons onboard have been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Dr Hany Sabry, from Luxor International Hospital, told Sky News that one of the injured passengers suffered multiple fractures and internal bleeding, while the second injured passenger remains under observation in the intensive care unit.

An employee at the company operating the balloon, Sky Cruise, said two people in the balloon survived by jumping from the basket before it hit the ground. The balloon's pilot is also believed to have survived the crash.

Luxor is one of the most popular destinations for travellers to Egypt and a starting point for many Nile cruises.

Ahmed Aboud, a spokesman for companies that operate balloon flights in the area, told Reuters that one tourist and the balloon pilot had survived the accident, which happened after a gas explosion at 1,000 feet.

"There were 20 passengers aboard," said Aboud. "An explosion happened and 19 passengers died. One tourist and the pilot survived."

Aboud is the representative of eight companies that operate balloons in Luxor.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are aware of reports of a balloon crash in Luxor and are making urgent enquiries."

DoSomethingDifferent.com confirmed it had taken Luxor balloon flights off-sale and was refunding all customers with future bookings. The tickets specialist said it did not believe any of its customers were involved in the accident.