UAE CARRIER TO RESUME FLIGHTS TO THAILAND

DUBAI, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Etihad Airways is resuming Friday its twice daily flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok following re-opening of Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

To meet the demand from travellers stranded due to the recent civil unrest
in Thailand, Etihad will also operate additional charter flights until Monday
from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi which will ensure the airline can fly more than 3,000
passengers in the next three days from the Thai capital.

In a statement, the airline said it had already flown six special relief
flights from Utapao Airport since it suspended its Bangkok services on Nov 26
when protesters closed the main international airport.

"These flights have carried more than 2,500 travellers, many of whom had
onward connections to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Etihad also flew
extra staff to Thailand to support the country team," said the Abu Dhabi-based
national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad operates a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured to carry 378
passengers on its twice daily flights to Bangkok.

The additional charter flight from Bangkok is also a Boeing 777.
-- BERNAMA