Sqn. Ldr. Anirute Sangrit, Vice President, Flight Operations Department, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), and Head of THAI Operations Control Center (TOCC), said THAI cooperated with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Australia Embassy, Bangkok, and the Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra and operated roundtrip chartered flights for stranded Thais and Australians from Bangkok-Melbourne on 27 May 2020.
A total of 260 Thais registered with the Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra traveled on flight TG462 that departed from Melbourne at 23.30 hours (local time) on 27 May 2020 and arrived in Bangkok at 06.00 hours on 28 May 2020. Previously, 190 Australians stranded in Thailand traveled on flight TG461 that departed from Bangkok at 08.10 hours on 27 May 2020 and arrived in Melbourne at 20.00 hours (local time). Staff from THAI and organizations concerned greeted passengers on arrival at Suvarnabhumi and Melbourne International Airports. In addition, THAI transported cargo items on both flights.
In order to reduce the risk of infection between cabin crew and passengers, physical distancing procedures were applied at every service area: check-in, passenger boarding, seat arrangement, inflight meals served in disposable boxes to avoid physical contact, disembarkation, passengers’ temperature were taken after two meal services, and hand sanitizer gel was offered to passengers. The cabin crew were required to wear protective suits, medical masks, and gloves while providing services and observed passengers with possible symptoms.
THAI is always prepared to operate special flights to fly Thais home during this difficult time.
