Etihad operates special flights for passengers stranded in Thailand

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, Etihad, 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," he added.

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.