Thai Airways cancels all flights to Europe amid India-Pakistan crisis

The move is in response to Pakistan closing its airspace

Thai Airways cancelled all flights to Europe on Wednesday 27 February, leaving thousands of visitors stranded.

Thailand’s national carrier made the decision in response to Pakistan closing its airspace after it claimed two Indian military jets were shot down while crossing the border dividing Kashmir.

Flights have since resumed.

The airline said it was waiting for permission to use other routes to fly into Europe that don’t cross Pakistan’s airspace.

All its Europe-bound flights were suspended, and one flight that had already taken off earlier in the day had to turn back.

Hundreds of travellers were waiting at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok following the cancellations.

Backpacker Nicolle Paisley, who was on the flight which had to return, told the Daily Mail passengers were in the dark about when their flights would be rescheduled and said they’d been given no food or drink while they wait.

Thai Airways flights from Bangkok to Europe are all cancelled (bangkokairportonline.com)

“The conflict situation between Pakistan and India has affected Thai Airways flights,” said Thai Airways president Sumeth Damrongchaitham.

“Flights also had to turn back to Bangkok, including the London and Frankfurt flights.

“By closing the airspace, every flight from Thailand to Europe has been affected. For flights that are going to depart this evening we will call an urgent meeting to consider the impact of such events.”

The airline flies to 13 European destinations: the UK, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, France, Russia, Frankfurt and Munich in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Rome and Milan in Italy and Austria.

Other airlines have also been affected. Air Canada has cancelled all flights to India, with flight tracking site FlightRadar24 showing that one service from Toronto to Delhi was forced to turn back while flying over Sweden. Passengers will have spent 13 hours onboard to end up back where they started.

Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to eight cities in India and Pakistan; Qatar flights that normally cross India-Pakistan airspace may be delayed due to rerouting.

Gulf Air has suspended all flights to and from Pakistan, while Emirates, Etihad and SriLankan Airlines have also cancelled some services.