DUBAI, U.A.E. -- Emirates announce that it will boost its ongoing initiatives to facilitate travel for passengers affected due to the closure of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, by operating two additional, special flights to U-Taphao Airport until Dec. 5 as well as re-instating its scheduled flight EK372/373 (Dubai-Bangkok-Dubai) effective Dec. 6.
The Dubai-based airline has previously operated a recovery flight each to U-Taphao Airport and Chiang Mai Airport, bringing back close to 600 passengers. It has also offered passengers the option to re-route their travel from alternative airports in Thailand and other Southeast Asian points such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong.
Emirates’ third recovery flight, a Boeing 777-300 aircraft departed Dubai today for U-Taphao Airport. It will return on Dec. 4 carrying 380 passengers. Emirates’ choice of wide-bodied Boeing 777 aircraft is deliberate to ensure that the maximum number of passengers can be recovered from Bangkok.
The fourth recovery flight will depart Dubai on Dec. 5 and will also bring back 380 passengers. At present, the flight is scheduled to operate to U-Taphao Airport, but it may be re-routed to Bangkok if the on-ground situation improves further. Passengers wishing to travel to Bangkok can contact Emirates’ Reservations in their local markets to book themselves on the fourth recovery flight, subject to seat availability.
Emirates has also positioned additional flight and cabin crew in Thailand in preparation for the resumption of services.
"Emirates is pleased to note that Bangkok’s international airport is slowly resuming operations," says Richard Vaughan, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia. "As the main terminal is still undergoing checks and cleaning, and flights are being allowed to operate from a smaller facility at the airport, we will only resume operations with the daily, scheduled EK372/373 service between Dubai and Bangkok starting Dec. 6. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will resume all operations once the situation has returned to full normalcy. The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and we would not wish to compromise it in any way."
EK 372 will depart from Dubai daily at 9:40 a.m. local time and touch down in Bangkok at 6:40 p.m. local time. Return flight EK373 will depart Bangkok at 8:25 p.m. local time and arrive in Dubai at 11:55 p.m. local time.
"We request customers to contact their local Emirates offices for further updates, and before embarking on a journey to/from Bangkok," says Richard.
Emirates Airport Services and local offices are ensuring passengers are well cared for. Emirates staff in Thailand have organized hotel accommodations for stranded passengers and road transportation under security cover to bring passengers to airports from which Emirates is operating recovery flights.
Flight EK384/385 (Dubai-Bangkok-Hong Kong-Bangkok-Dubai) will remain cancelled until December 12th. EK418/419 (Dubai-Bangkok-Sydney-Auckland-Sydney-Bangkok-Dubai) will over fly Bangkok and operate on direct routes until further notice. Emirates hopes to resume these services once the airport facility is fully operational.
In the meantime Emirates offers the following options, valid for bookings made until Dec. 12:
- Passengers can choose to travel into or out of another airport that Emirates operates in the vicinity of Bangkok, such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong. Re-booking or re-issue charges will be waived, and the fare paid to/from Bangkok will be honored for travel to/from the alternative airports. This re-routing is subject to seat availability. The passenger will have to bear the cost of ground transportation between Bangkok and the alternative airports.
- Passengers can choose to travel into or out of another airport in Thailand, and their tickets will be reissued as per standard involuntary rerouting procedures at no additional cost. The passenger will have to bear the cost of ground transportation between Bangkok and the other airports in Thailand.
- Passengers to/from Bangkok who do not wish to re-route can be re-booked on the first available flight when the airport re-opens by contacting their local Emirates office.
- Passengers traveling on tickets issued as part of an inclusive tour by a tour operator/ travel agent are requested to contact their tour operator/ travel agent for refund or cancellation.
For more information visit www.emirates.com/usa.
