Emirates claims Bangkok flights are back

[webfact]

Emirates claims Bangkok flights are back

By Don Ross

 

  

BANGKOK, 31 August 2020: Emirates says it has all the permissions in place to operate flights to and from Thailand as of 1 September despite a contradictory post by the Royal Thai Consulate in Dubai.

 

The Thai consulate in Dubai posted an announcement on its website at the weekend that cast doubt on the 1 September resumption of flights from Dubai to Bangkok.

 

While not identifying the airline explicitly the statement quoted the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand saying no commercials flights were allowed to enter Thailand until further notice. Popular travel blogger Richard Barrow first posted the consulate’s statement on his Twitter account.

 

Full story: https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2020/08/emirates-claims-bangkok-flights-are-back/

 

-- © Copyright TTR Weekly 2020-09-01

 

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[lkv]

Starting from 1 September, flight EK384 will depart Dubai daily at 0150 and arrive in Bangkok at 1130

 

 

6 more hours to go, the excitement is killing me.

[ezzra]

We will find out pretty soon won't we as to whom is talking rubbish here...

[lkv]

8 minutes ago, ezzra said:

We will find out pretty soon won't we as to whom is talking rubbish here...

It's actually departed from Dubai, en route to Bkk ????

[3MagicBeers]

What a bizarre situation......! 

[Thailand]

Left hand, right hand. Typically Thai management.

[jojothai]

48 minutes ago, lkv said:

It's actually departed from Dubai, en route to Bkk ????

But are there any passengers onboard?

And have they all got their COE from the embassy?

Better hope its not a military contingent bypassing all the rules.

Edited August 31, 2020 by jojothai

[Mises]

I just tried to book DXB - BKK and they do appear to be flying daily.  However during the booking process this comes up:

 

Travel to Thailand: The ban on international flights to Thailand has been extended until 30 September 2020. Only the following passengers are allowed to enter Thailand.
 

• Thai nationals
• Persons with exemption or being considered, permitted or invited
• Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under international organisations, or representatives of foreign government
• Carriers of necessary goods
• Operating crews with a return scheduled flight
• Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parent, or child of a Thai national
• Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of permanent residency or permission to take up residence
• Non-Thai nationals who have a work permit or have been granted permission by government agencies to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children
• Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students, except for students of non-formal educational institutions under the law on private schools and of other similar private educational institutions
• Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment and their attendants
• Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country

All nationalities, except Thai nationals, require a visa to enter Thailand. Tourist and transit visas are not allowed.

The following additional documents must be presented for entry:
Thai nationals:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate

Persons with exemption or being considered, permitted or invited:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival

Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under international organisations, or representatives of foreign government:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
• Letter of certification covering health expenses, including treatment for COVID-19
• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities

Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national
Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of permanent residency or permission to take up residence
Non-Thai nationals who have work permit or have been granted permission from government agencies to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
• Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities

Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students, except for students of non-formal educational institutions under the law on private schools and of other similar private educational institutions:
 

• Students of private or international institutes (included parents or guardians):
  • Certificate of entry (COE)
  • Fit to fly health certificate
  • Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan from airport to state quarantine facility
• Students of public institutes (not including parents or guardians):
  • Letter stating that the institute is responsible for health expenses covering COVID-19 treatment
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan to state quarantine facility as per Ministry of Education or Ministry of Transport and Communications guidelines
• Students of Border Patrol Police institutes:
  • Letter stating that the institute is responsible for health expenses covering COVID-19 treatment
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan to state quarantine facility as per National Police Office or Ministry of Transport and Communications guidelines

Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment and their attendants*:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
• Documents ensuring the ability to cover health and all the expenses
• Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
• Letter certifying the need for treatment from the medical institute
• Letter of approval to be hospitalised and quarantined not less than 14 days from Thai hospital
• For attendants who do not come with a person requiring medical treatment, he/she is also required to have a letter of approval to be hospitalised and quarantined for at least 14 days

* Not allowed to travel for COVID-19 treatment
* Maximum number of attendants allowed is 3

Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country:
 

• Long stay:
  • Certificate of entry (COE)
  • Fit to fly health certificate
  • Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
• Short stay:
  • Certificate of entry (COE)
  • Fit to fly health certificate
  • Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan

Please check the the approved list(the link opens in a new window) of SQ (state quarantine) facilities for Thai Nationals and ASQ (alternate state quarantine) hotels for Non-Thai nationals.

 

So, who will be on these flights?

[Pattaya Spotter]

2 hours ago, lkv said:

It's actually departed from Dubai, en route to Bkk ????

Cargo flight.

[Pattaya Spotter]

5 minutes ago, Mises said:

I just tried to book DXB - BKK and they do appear to be flying daily.  However during the booking process this comes up:

 

Travel to Thailand: The ban on international flights to Thailand has been extended until 30 September 2020. Only the following passengers are allowed to enter Thailand.
 

• Thai nationals
• Persons with exemption or being considered, permitted or invited
• Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under international organisations, or representatives of foreign government
• Carriers of necessary goods
• Operating crews with a return scheduled flight
• Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parent, or child of a Thai national
• Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of permanent residency or permission to take up residence
• Non-Thai nationals who have a work permit or have been granted permission by government agencies to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children
• Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students, except for students of non-formal educational institutions under the law on private schools and of other similar private educational institutions
• Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment and their attendants
• Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country

All nationalities, except Thai nationals, require a visa to enter Thailand. Tourist and transit visas are not allowed.

The following additional documents must be presented for entry:
Thai nationals:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate

Persons with exemption or being considered, permitted or invited:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival

Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under international organisations, or representatives of foreign government:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
• Letter of certification covering health expenses, including treatment for COVID-19
• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities

Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national
Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of permanent residency or permission to take up residence
Non-Thai nationals who have work permit or have been granted permission from government agencies to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
• Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities

Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students, except for students of non-formal educational institutions under the law on private schools and of other similar private educational institutions:
 

• Students of private or international institutes (included parents or guardians):
  • Certificate of entry (COE)
  • Fit to fly health certificate
  • Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan from airport to state quarantine facility
• Students of public institutes (not including parents or guardians):
  • Letter stating that the institute is responsible for health expenses covering COVID-19 treatment
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan to state quarantine facility as per Ministry of Education or Ministry of Transport and Communications guidelines
• Students of Border Patrol Police institutes:
  • Letter stating that the institute is responsible for health expenses covering COVID-19 treatment
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan to state quarantine facility as per National Police Office or Ministry of Transport and Communications guidelines

Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment and their attendants*:
 

• Certificate of entry (COE)
• Fit to fly health certificate
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
• Documents ensuring the ability to cover health and all the expenses
• Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
• Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
• Letter certifying the need for treatment from the medical institute
• Letter of approval to be hospitalised and quarantined not less than 14 days from Thai hospital
• For attendants who do not come with a person requiring medical treatment, he/she is also required to have a letter of approval to be hospitalised and quarantined for at least 14 days

* Not allowed to travel for COVID-19 treatment
* Maximum number of attendants allowed is 3

Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country:
 

• Long stay:
  • Certificate of entry (COE)
  • Fit to fly health certificate
  • Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
  • Letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities
• Short stay:
  • Certificate of entry (COE)
  • Fit to fly health certificate
  • Negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival
  • Health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000
  • Clear evidence of accommodation and travel plan

Please check the the approved list(the link opens in a new window) of SQ (state quarantine) facilities for Thai Nationals and ASQ (alternate state quarantine) hotels for Non-Thai nationals.

 

So, who will be on these flights?

Boxes of cargo.

[ronaldo0]

Daily flights but exactly all the same quarantine etc before you can come . 
No thanks I would rather not waste two weeks of my life in a hotel room lining some connected persons pockets !

[DrTuner]

If I'd have to trust UAE airline or Thai embassy, I'd choose the airline every time. Luckily I don't have to trust either.

Edited September 1, 2020 by DrTuner

[Flying Saucage]

8 hours ago, DrTuner said:

If I'd have to trust UAE airline or Thai embassy, I'd choose the airline every time. Luckily I don't have to trust either.

But maybe Emirates does not know, how little they can trust Thai authorities. They will soon stop flying to BKK, when they recognise that their A380s are always empty.

[oompie69]

11:30 AM

EK384

Dubai (DXB)

Emirates

B77W (A6-ENL)

Landed 11:29 AM

This according to a certain website supplying this type of data.

And it went onwards a short while later.

So, the question remains: Did any passengers disembark? Who knows?

12:50 PM

EK384

Hong Kong (HKG)

Emirates

B77W (A6-ENL)

Departed 1:06 PM

[thedemon]

8 hours ago, Flying Saucage said:

But maybe Emirates does not know, how little they can trust Thai authorities. They will soon stop flying to BKK, when they recognise that their A380s are always empty.

Yeah I agree, that's how it would appear. The issue is whether the management of Emirates are dumb or they're just playing dumb.

[treetops]

This flight has been flying for the past few weeks, stopping at BKK enroute to HKG.  I suspect they have been carrying only HKG bound passengers on the outbound until now and they now have the systems in place to carry those bound for BKK.

 

KLM are doing it too with aircraft transit stopping at BKK and discharging passengers who have shown the required paperwork at check in to prove they can enter Thailand.

 

Seat map for tomorrow's flight doesn't look very busy in economy.

[lkv]

25 minutes ago, treetops said:

Seat map for tomorrow's flight doesn't look very busy in economy.

Where do you get that from?

 

If you get it from their website (choose a seat), that's not a reflection of the occupancy but of who checked in online already.

[treetops]

32 minutes ago, lkv said:

Where do you get that from?

 

If you get it from their website (choose a seat), that's not a reflection of the occupancy but of who checked in online already.

I get it from a seat alerts app, but in any case Emirates allocate all passengers seats around 48 to 72 hours prior to departure (or at least they did pre-covid) so this close in the seat map will give a fair indication.

[thai006]

on the thai embassy in dubai they wrote this 

 

 Emirates Airline has been approved by the CAAT to operate commercial flights to Bangkok currently from the period of 1 September – 24 October 2020. However, the abovementioned commercial flights are operating only for “NON-THAI NATIONALS” in permitted types according to current Thai laws and regulations. Those who which to enter Thailand via these commercial flights should study the guided procedures in the infographic below.

[mtls2005]

On 9/2/2020 at 2:54 PM, treetops said:

Seat map for tomorrow's flight doesn't look very busy in economy.

 

EK does require a COVID-19 PCR test prior to boarding, so tomorrow's load may not be relevant?

 

Tests here take a couple of days, cost is 6,500 ish.

 

On 9/2/2020 at 3:21 PM, lkv said:

If you get it from their website (choose a seat), that's not a reflection of the occupancy but of who checked in online already.

 

Not related to OLCI per se, but yes, some ticketed passengers may not yet have seat assignments. Once the airport (EK staff) takes local control, 24 - 48 hours, they assign seats.

 

Seats still for sale to BKK-DXB EK 385 departing ~ 14 hours so my guess that loads are light-ish?

 

 

[supersomchai]

I contacted Emirates Bangkok and they confirmed they are flying london to Bangkok october and november .

When i asked them if they were flying repatriation flights they said no,only scheduled flights.

They also confirmed the need for a covid test prior to departure.

Just to be sure this flight option works i e mailed the Thai embassy

today.....waiting for a reply ..tick tock????????

[supersomchai]

I contacted Emirates Bangkok and they confirmed they are flying london to Bangkok october and november .

When i asked them if they were flying repatriation flights they said no,only scheduled flights.

They also confirmed the need for a covid test prior to departure.

Just to be sure this flight option works i e mailed the Thai embassy

today.....waiting for a reply ..tick tock????????

[supersomchai]

Just received an e mail from the thai embassy confirming we can fly using emirates providing all the covid test and asq requirements are met....game changer ( oh and they replied to me within the hour good service thank you thai embassy london ????