WU Special Release No. 11 THAI imposes War Surcharge Thai Airways International will impose a war surcharge on passengers to cover higher insurance costs after the terrorist attacks in the U.S.. From 1 October 2001 onwards, a surcharge equivalent to US$ 1.25 will be levied per passenger on all THAI flights (except for flight operations between Bangkok and Colombo where the surcharge remains at US$ 40). The surcharge will be imposed on each flight coupon for every sector and will be included in the airfare. Mr. Tasnai Sudasna na Ayudhya, THAIs Executive Vice President, Commercial, said this announcement was made following an increase of third-party war and terrorism insurance premiums by global airline insurers. Passengers commencing their travel from 1st October onwards, using tickets purchased prior to this announcement, will have to pay the surcharge at the check-in counter if they have not already paid the surcharge at a THAI Sales office. However passengers continuing their travel on tickets purchased prior to 27 September and who actually commenced their travel prior to that date, will not be required to pay the surcharge. Back to index...

WU Special Report No. 10 THAI Receives Government Indemnity During a Cabinet meeting held today (25 September 2001), the Cabinet adopted a resolution to provide a guarantee and indemnification to Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, under Aviation Hull and Liabilities in the clause related to War Risk Liabilities.  Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, Acting President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said that “Due to the consequence of the imposed limit of liability to the third party covered under Aviation Hull and Liabilities which includes hijacking and associated perils as well as terrorist activities from USD 1,750 million to a limit of USD 50 million per single occurrence, effective from 25 September 2001 onwards.  The coverage of the amount of USD 50 million was found inadequate in case of any loss caused by war risks or terrorist act. THAI requested urgent consideration and approval from the Cabinet regarding this issue today.” The Cabinet approved and confirmed the provision of a guarantee to indemnify on behalf of THAI in excess of USD 50 million to the limit of USD 1,550 million per single occurrence for a period of 60 days from 23.59 GMT on 24 September 2001. During the 60 day period, THAI will endeavor to arrange for the coverage of USD 1,750 million as soon as there is availability of this type of coverage in the insurance market. Back to index...

WU Special report no.9 THAI Announces Measures to Counter the Impact on World Airlines Bangkok, 24 September 2001 --- Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, Acting President, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, today announced operational measures in response to effects on aviation industry following the recent terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center as follows: 1. THAI has implemented safety measures in compliance with the amended air safety regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  THAI has recently replaced the inflight cutlery made of stainless steel with plastic on the route between Bangkok and the United States as well as United Kingdom.  THAI passengers have been well informed to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure time and passengers are not permitted to carry  any sharp objects on board the aircraft. 2. Cost-cutting measures 3. On 25th September, THAI will propose to the Cabinet to consider giving government indemnity to cover liabilities to third party, bodily injuries, death and loss/damage of properties as a result of war or terrorism arising out of THAI's operations. 4. THAI's Commercial Department is working on a plan to reduce flight operations on some regional routes.  The plan will be designed to accommodate any situation including war or unrest.  Incentive programs will be introduced to promote sales such as a complimentary ticket to travel to any domestic destination to which THAI flies for overseas travelers flying to Thailand. Back to index...

WU Special 8 THAI Expects Profit for 2000/01 Financial Year, Says Airline's Acting President Bangkok, 18 September 2001 --- Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, Acting President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said today that THAI's overall system operations remain secure in the aftermath of the disaster in the United States, and profitable results are expected at the end of 2000/01 fiscal year. In addition, Mr. Engtrakul stated that THAI was not too significantly affected by the crisis in the United States, since the American market accounts for only approximately 5 per cent of THAI's operating traffic revenue, with 22 per cent coming from the market in Thailand, 6 percent from Indonesia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East, 36 percent within the Asian region, 26 per cent from European markets, and 5 per cent from Australia and New Zealand. On 15th September 2001, THAI resumed its daily scheduled flight operations between Bangkok and Los Angeles. All THAI flights operating on this route are fully booked as a large number of passengers were stranded during the U.S. nationwide airport closure following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. "The United States is not the main market for THAI as reservations for flights to and from the U.S. account for only 5 percent of the total traffic revenue.  Regional and Asian routes, which serve as the main market for THAI, remain unaffected.  Some flight cancellations were made on the routes to European destinations during October.  But the overall results indicated that THAI may expect a profitable results at the end of this financial year," said Mr. Engtrakul At the moment, THAI has not been affected by the current fluctuation in the fuel prices because fuel-purchase contracts are made one month in advance.  However, if the world fuel price increases, airlines may have to increase the airfares and the effect will be felt by all airlines around the world. Compared to other airlines, THAI has relatively low operating costs, but they are likely to increase. Back to index...

Special Release No.7 THAI Resumes Normal Scheduled Flight Operations between Thailand and the U.S.  Bangkok, 15 September 2001 --- Thai Airways International received clearance from U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA and is now able to resume its flight operations into and out of the U.S. by complying with revised FAA security procedures. THAI's flight operations are as follows: Route: Los Angeles-Osaka-Bangkok TG775/14 SEP 01 dep.14:30 hrs  arr. 23:20 hrs (BKK/15 SEP) Route: Bangkok-Osaka-Los Angeles TG774/15 SEP 01 dep. 08:03 hrs arr. 10:40 hrs (Los Angeles/15 SEP) Passengers are advised to arrive at airport for check-in and security procedures at least 3 hours prior to departure. Due to the revised U.S. security procedures which strictly require all airlines to conduct thorough inspection prior to flight departure, THAI would like to apologize to all passengers traveling to the United States for any inconvenience. Please contact THAI's reservation office at Tel: 02-628-2000 for more information on flight schedules. Back to index...

Special Release No.6 THAI Announces Compliance with Revised FAA Security Procedures Bangkok, 14 September 2001 --- On 13th September 2001, at 12:00 noon (US local time), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a reopening of some of the airports in the US, enabling carriers to resume flight operations into and out of the US, providing that airlines strictly follow the FAA's Emergency Amendment regulations.  The Management and senior executives of Thai Airways International met to review the current security procedures and to take immediate action to comply with the FAA emergency regulations. Thai Airways International is confident the airline is able to meet the security regulations and procedures established by the FAA and US Department of Transport, and that flight operations may soon be resumed.  FAA regulations cover inspection procedures for carry-on bags, checked baggage, aircraft security, crewmembers, aircraft search, and personnel.  All airlines must conduct a detailed baggage and physical search and all weapons or sharp objects (such as steak knives for meal services and pocket knives) are prohibited on board aircraft.  The inspection process will be conducted while passengers are boarding at the gate and in their presence.  Aircraft search must be conducted thoroughly and by authorized personnel, who are familiar with the aircraft interior. Thai Airways International is in the process of forwarding a letter of security compliance to the FAA and awaits approval and clearance from the FAA and US Department of Transportation. THAI customers should contact reservation office at Tel: 02-628-2000 for more information on flight schedules.  Back to index...

Special Release No. 5 THAI Reports on U.S. flight situation in the aftermath of Terrorist Attack Bangkok --- 13 September 2001, Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, Acting President, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited today said that, "The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy remains that all airports within the United States remain closed is maintained.  Airlines, including THAI, are not permitted to operate flights into and out of the United States.  It is expected that today (13 September 2001) at 10.00 hours, local time, or at midnight in Thailand, the FAA will hold a meeting to seek a conclusion in order to open these airports so that air traffic departures and arrivals may resume  normal operations." Since 11 September 2001, THAI canceled two of its flights routed Bangkok - Los Angeles and three flights routed Los Angeles - Bangkok.THAI has provided special assistance to passengers and cargo scheduled to travel from Bangkok to Japan (Osaka or Narita) by transporting them to these destinations on other THAI's flights. As for cargo destined to the United States, the majority of which was non-perishable, THAI has provided information on the postponement to the customers concerned, who have reclaimed their shipments accordingly. "Thailand has had a long-standing history of good relations with many countries, which reflects positively on the aviation business and passenger travel.  THAI is confident that passengers air travel will continue to increase in the future, once the United States and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant authorization for air traffic to resume. In addition, as part of the policy to promote tourism in Thailand, THAI has encouraged more travellers, especially Japanese, to visit the country. THAI has also proposed an option for tourists to travel to Thailand or other countries which are airline networks of THAI, such as Australia and India," added Mr. Engtrakul. THAI's operations on Asian, European and Australasian routes remain unchanged.  Passengers may contact THAI's reservation center at Tel: 02-628-2000 for more flight information on a 24-hour basis. Back to index...

Special Release No.4 THAI Tightens Security On All Flights Bangkok --- 12 September 2001, at 14:00 hours (local time) Mr. Wan Mohammad Nor Matha, Transport and Communications Minister, has made the following announcement concerning THAI’s flight security measures. Following the terrorist attacks in the USA, THAI has tightened its flight security measures at all destinations to which THAI operates. Authorized security personnel, THAI’s engineers or ground service staff are required to remain near the aircraft at all times while on ground at airports, both within Thailand and in overseas. All passengers and airport personnel are to be thoroughly checked. They are requested to display their ID badge clearly. The security measures also extend to all passengers traveling on all THAI’s flights, who will be requested to show their identification documents. In order to ensure maximum safety for all passengers, all THAI’s flights bound for European destinations will be operating via countries currently being utilized by other commercial airlines. Back to index...

Special Report No.3 Announcement from THAI Concerning Flight Operations as a Result of Terrorist Attacks in the USA Bangkok --- 12 September 2001, at 10:30 hours (local time), Dr. Chai-anan Samudavanija, Acting Chairman, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, made the following announcement concerning THAI's flight TG772/11SEP01 bound for Los Angeles. On 11 September 2001, THAI's flight TG772, with a total of 268 passengers and 22 flight crew, departed from Bangkok International Airport at 07:35 hours, and was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles at 11:40 hours (11 September 2001, US local time) or 01:40 hours (12 September 2001, Bangkok local time).  TG772 was diverted to land in San Francisco and has now safely landed at San Francisco Airport at 11:12 hours (11 September 2001, US local time) or 01:12 hours (12 September 2001, Bangkok local time). Passengers and crew on board THAI's flight have been transferred to hotels in San Francisco namely Crown Plaza Holiday Inn, Best Western El Rancho Inn and Westin Airport and some have already continued to Los Angeles by road. THAI's office in San Francisco may be contacted at Tel: 001-1-415-397-8300. For more flight information, the public may call THAI's office in Bangkok at 02-288-7355-6, 02-232-8225-6 and 02-620-2000. Back to index...

Special Release No.2 Announcement from THAI Concerning Flight Operations as a Result of Terrorist Attacks in the USA Bangkok --- 12 September 2001, at 01:30 hours (local time) Dr. Chai-anan Samudavanija, Acting Chairman, Thai Airways International Public Company  Limited, made the following announcement concerning THAI’s flight TG772/11SEP01 bound for Los Angeles. On 11 September 2001, THAI’s flight TG772, with a total of 268 passengers and 22 flight crew, departed from Bangkok International Airport at 07:35 hours, and was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles at 11:40 hours (11 September 2001, US local time) or 01:40 hours (12 September 2001, Bangkok local time). TG772 was diverted to land in San Francisco and has now safely landed at San Francisco Airport at 11:12 hours (11 September 2001, US local time) or 01:12 hours (12 September 2001, Bangkok local time). THAI’s office in San Francisco has arranged surface transportation to Los Angeles for all passengers traveling on the flight. Hotel accommodation has also been arranged for those passengers who wished to stay overnight in San Francisco. TG772/11SEP01 is scheduled to remain at San Francisco Airport until the FAA announces reopening of airports around the USA. It will then return to Los Angeles to operate as TG773/12 September 2001 to Bangkok. THAI’s local offices in New York and Washington D.C. have announced their temporary closure. For more flight information, passengers may contact the THAI’s center at TEL: 02-628-2000. Back to index...

Special Release No.1 THAI Announces Effects on Flight Operations as a Result of Bombing in the USA Bangkok --- 11 September 2001, at 23:30 hours Bangkok local time  The Public Relations Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that following the catastrophic acts of terrorism in Washington D.C. and New York, the Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA) announced a closure of all airports around the USA. THAI’s flight TG772/11SEP01 today departed from Bangkok International Airport at 07:42 hours, with a total of 268 passengers and 22 flight crew. The flight stopped at Narita International Airport in Japan at 16:31 hours and departed from Narita at 17:25 hours. TG772 was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles at 01:25 hours/12SEP01 (Bangkok local time). Thai Airways International received confirmation from US authorities that THAI’s flight TG772 was able to land in Los Angeles according to the usual schedule. However, THAI’s flight TG773/11SEP01 bound for Bangkok has to remain in the US until the FAA announces reopening of airports around the USA. THAI also announced the cancellation of its flight TG772, which is scheduled to depart from Bangkok on 12 September 2001, at 07:35 hours. THAI currently operates daily flights to the USA, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The General Manager for THAI’s local office in New York, which is located at 630 Fifth Avenue, is now temporarily closed. THAI’s local office in Washington D.C., which is located at 601, 13th Street N.W, is also closed temporarily. More announcements will be made from THAI’s Crisis Management Operations  Center. Passengers may contact the center at TEL: 02-6282000 for more flight information. Back to index...