Etihad Airways will lay on special relief flights from U-Taphao airport in Thailand to Abu Dhabi to help passengers who have been stranded in the country since the start of civil unrest and the closure of the major international airports in the capital, Bangkok.

The airline has secured rights to operate from U-Taphao, an airport 150 kilometres east of Bangkok, and will fly in special ground handling personnel and airport staff to assist with the operation.

The flight will be operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, which can accommodate a total of 378 passengers.

Captain Richard Hill, executive vice president operations, said: “Our staff in Thailand and Abu Dhabi have been working around the clock to finalise the plans to assist those passengers who have been stranded in Thailand since Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok closed on Wednesday night.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and currently working with both the UAE and Thai authorities on plans for additional relief flights to secure the safe departure of passengers from Thailand.”

Etihad flight EY408 will depart Abu Dhabi airport on Friday, 28 November at 1400 local time (1000 GMT, 1700 Thailand time) to arrive at U-Taphao airport in Thailand at 0100 local time (2200 Abu Dhabi time,1800 GMT). The return flight EY401 will depart U-Taphao airport at 0500 local time (0200 Abu Dhabi time, 2200 GMT) and arrive in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 29 November at 0900 local time (1200 Thailand time, 0500 GMT).

The airline suspended its double daily service to Suvarnabhumi airport following its closure on Wednesday evening, November 26.

Services will be resumed when the airport reopens.


About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi.

Currently Etihad offers flights to 48 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: + 971 (0) 2505 8006 / 8573 or visit www.etihadmediacentre.com>

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