DUBAI, 21 July 2006 — Emirates Airline operated five flights from Damascus yesterday to evacuate travelers stranded in Lebanon, reported a top executive at the carrier. Since July 14, Emirates has airlifted over 5,000 people out of Damascus.
“We would like to thank the Syrian authorities for granting us the permission to operate extra flights from Damascus during this difficult period,” said Ghaith Al-Ghaith, the carrier’s executive vice president for worldwide commercial operations in a statement.
Ghaith Al-Ghaith is currently in Damascus to monitor the situation and direct the airline’s response operations, leading a team of more than 10 Dubai-based staffers who have been flown to Damascus to provide added operational support to the Emirates’ team in Syria.
Emirates Airline has been operating four flights a day between Dubai and Damascus in the past week, and has put more hands on deck by sending an extra team of staff to support increased operations in Syria.
To assist travelers with their bookings and flights, Emirates’ town office in Damascus has extended its opening hours from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., while its call centers in Damascus (+963-11445515/16/17) and Dubai (+9714-2144444), as well as its airport team in Damascus are working 24 hours.
With the continued and indefinite closure of Beirut Airport, Emirates has been operating four flights a day to Damascus. In addition to its scheduled daily service, the airline has redirected its twice-a-day Dubai-Beirut flights to Damascus, and another extra daily service to the Syrian capital. The airline, together with the Syrian authorities, is looking at the possibility of continuing to operate five daily flights to Damascus during this period.
Malaysia Airlines Sets Up Crisis Center
Malaysia Airlines has set up and activated a crisis center in Dubai to assist the stranded passengers. This will be in operation from 0800 hrs till midnight (UAE local time), said Vinay Nambiar, regional marketing manager Middle East & Africa of Malaysia Airlines. The crisis center contact numbers: 00971 4 3976869 (Dubai); 00961 3693997 (Lebanon); and 00971 50 7061981 (UAE). Alternatively, passengers can also contact Malaysia Airlines Reservation office in Dubai on 009714 3970250.
“Due to the current situation in Lebanon, Malaysia Airlines Beirut office will be closed until further notice. Malaysia Airlines will airlift all passengers with valid Malaysia Airlines tickets and documents from the closest MAS online city in the Middle East. Passengers are to contact their travel agents for amendments to their bookings,” Nambiar added.
