THAI announces effects from volcanic eruption

Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, President, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, stated that due to the volcanic ash in the airspace over northern Europe showing no improvement since its first eruption on 15 April 2010, the airline has had to cancel nine out of 13 routes to Europe, that is, Bangkok-London, Bangkok-Frankfurt, Bangkok-Copenhagen, Bangkok-Oslo, Bangkok-Stockholm, Bangkok-Zurich, Bangkok-Munich, Bangkok-Paris, Bangkok-Milan. However, THAI continues to operate to four destinations that have not been restricted, that is, Bangkok-Rome, Bangkok-Madrid, Bangkok-Athens, and Bangkok-Moscow.

The number of THAI flights cancelled from 16-19 April 2010 totals to 70 flights, with 36 outbound flights and 34 inbound flights. Total number of THAI passengers who are stranded is 21,625, of which 10,550 passengers are still in Bangkok. Of those abroad, there are 2,500 Thai nationals. The financial loss to THAI is approximately 100 million THB per day. Hence, THAI has put in place the following contingency plan.

· THAI has liaised with authorities for additional special flights as soon as possible between Bangkok-Rome and Bangkok-Madrid for stranded passengers as well as those wanting to travel.

· THAI is coordinating with authorities to secure approval for flights between Bangkok-Toulouse, France, to replace the Bangkok-Paris route.

· THAI is prepared and standing by to continue operations to those destinations currently cancelled for when the Eurocontrol announces it is safe to operate again.

· For handling the large volume of stranded passengers THAI is coordinating and planning for special flights to other destinations in the near vicinity.

Thai Airways International is closely monitoring the situation which does not yet improve, therefore, THAI has to continue the cancellation of these nine routes from 19-22 April 2010.

Although there are some intra-European flights, this is allowed only for smaller aircraft that fly below 19,500 feet. However, the Euro airspace restricts intercontinental flights since the aircraft on these routes are required to fly above 24,500 feet.

For passengers whose flights were been cancelled THAI requests those passengers to contact the THAI Contact Center at these numbers (24 hours): 02-356-1111, FAX: 02-356-2222, Email: contact@service.thaiairways.com or website: thaiairways.com or visit any THAI sales offices in Europe to re-book for the cancelled flights. As such Thai Airways International has opened its Crisis Management & Operations Center (CMOC) for close monitoring of the situation on a 24-hour basis.