Thai Airways cancels flights to Pakistan, all European routes due to Pakistani airspace closure

BANGKOK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced late Wednesday that its flights to Pakistan, Europe have been cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Pratana Patanasiri, THAI vice president of Aviation Safety, Security and Standards Department, was quoted by a press statement as saying that THAI cancelled its flights to Pakistan and operated through Pakistani airspace on Wednesday as Pakistani airspace closed due to tension between India and Pakistan.

The company also said three flights, to London, Moscow and Frankfurt respectively, returned to Bangkok and arrived safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday.

THAI said it has looked after passengers affected by flight cancellations, in accordance to international standards.

Furthermore, THAI also cancelled 11 flights to destinations in Europe that were operated on Wednesday and were expected to operate on Thursday, in order to maintain the highest passenger and operational safety standards.

THAI is monitoring the situation closely in order to properly assess the situation and plans to operate flights on an alternative route that does not pass Pakistan and is now awaiting for airspace authorization.

THAI advises all passengers traveling on the afore-mentioned flights to check the company's announcements and keep abreast of all related news.