India-Pakistan conflict leaves thousands of passengers stranded at Thai airport

Hundreds of tourists were stranded at the airport in Thailand tonight (Wednesday 27), as flights to Europe were cancelled due to tensions between Pakistan and India.

Flag carrier Thai Airways cancelled all its scheduled flights to Europe, including one that had already taken off and was forced to turn back, leaving furious tourists with uncertain delays at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

The 13-hour route goes straight across India and passes through Pakistan, considered to be a risky route given the current international tensions in the area.

The next scheduled flight to London was due to leave just after midnight February 27 at 00:15 but officials said it would be rescheduled.

Flights to Frankfurt, Paris, Oslo, Milan, Zurich and Copenhagen were also cancelled.

Frustrated backpacker Nicolle Paisley, who was on the flight which turned back earlier today, said she was stuck in limbo between arrivals and immigration.

She said: ''We've been back for hours now, no food or water. No information on our rescheduled flight. Not good enough at all.

''The staff aren't doing much to help. I'm already at the airport. They've told us to stay in line. They can't help as they don't have the answers either. We just want to know when our flight is.''

Chirs McAloran said he was waiting for updates from the airline. He added: ''My wife is also waiting at the same flight to get home for her father's funeral.''

Thai Airways President Sumeth Damrongchaitham said an urgent meeting had been called to reschedule flights to Europe, which normally pass through airspace affected by the chaos between India and Pakistan.