THAI Suspends Flights to Pakistan

Following the air strikes in Afghanistan on 7 October, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has today announced suspension of THAI flights to Pakistan.

Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI’s Acting President, said today (8 October) that THAI had called a top Management meeting to establish measures following the attacks. The results are as follows:

1. THAI temporarily suspended flights between Bangkok-Lahore from 8 October onwards. The 196 passengers who are scheduled to fly from Bangkok to Lahore and 120 from Lahore to Bangkok on THAI flights will be transferred to Pakistan Airlines.

2. THAI will suspend flights operated on the route Bangkok-Karachi operating its last flight to Karachi on 9 October on the route Bangkok-Karachi-Bangkok in order to transport passengers and assist in evacuation of Thai people from Pakistan. In addition, THAI has adjusted its flights to Muscat, from operations on the route Bangkok-Karachi-Muscat to fly Bangkok-Muscat-Bangkok instead, in order to transport remaining passengers on 9 and 11 October 2001. After these dates, THAI will temporarily suspend flights on these routes.

3. THAI has already re-routed its flight operations to mid and northern Europe, avoiding Afghanistan’s air space by flying over China-Kazakhstan-Russia. This will increase flight time between 50-60 minutes. THAI also flies over India-Saudi Arabia to destinations in southern Europe adding another 30 minutes to the flight time.

THAI is monitoring the situation of the attack, as well as other airlines on a continual basis by keeping close contact with its local offices in Lahore and Karachi. THAI may consider additional operations on the routes to China and Australia to generate revenue to replace loss on other routes.

Under normal flight schedule, THAI operates four weekly flights each to Lahore and Karachi.