CAN I FLY BATTERIES FROM EGYPT TO UK?
Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder
Q Despite various communications with Thomson Airways and the Egyptian embassy, no one can give me a definitive answer with regards to Go Pro batteries being allowed in hold luggage on return to the UK from Marsa Alam in Egypt.
Thomson Airways say contact the embassy who then say contact Thomson. You get the idea. Can you get to the bottom of this?
Pete Harvey
A Spare batteries are definitely not allowed on board flights from Egypt – as well as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia – to the UK. The Department for Transport says: “Spare or separate device batteries [and] portable power sources will not be allowed on board the aircraft in either cabin or hold baggage.
“Existing safety regulations mean that spare batteries and portable power sources can no longer be carried on board aircraft operating on affected routes in either cabin or hold baggage.”
Sorry it’s not more helpful news. I am mystified as to why Thomson Airways could not tell you this very simple rule, and why you were referred to the Egyptian embassy. It is nothing to do with the Egyptian authorities; the new rules were set by the UK Government.
Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder