Thailand’s flag carrier, Thai Airways, struggled on Tuesday to resume regular flight operations following severe downpours and widespread flooding. According to statements by Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri, the airline plans to cancel approximately 30 flights on Tuesday, representing roughly 30% of its scheduled departures out of Bangkok.
The adjusted departure schedule from the Thai capital will remain in place for at least three days, the CEO stated. The operational disruption over the preceding days has been critical:
- On-time performance: Less than 3% of flights operated on schedule over the past two days.
- Delay rate: Nearly 100% of flights experienced delays due to severe constraints on operating capacity.
Baggage Crisis and Military Deployment at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Although Bangkok’s primary hubs remained operational during the weekend’s torrential rains and flash flooding, baggage handling and ground operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport suffered acute ground-handling disruptions.
To alleviate severe bottlenecks across Thai Airways’ ramp and ground services:
- Military deployment: A contingent of 69 Royal Thai Air Force personnel was deployed on Monday to bolster the carrier’s ground handling operations.
- Baggage backlog: Approximately 5,600 pieces of luggage belonging to Thai Airways passengers remain stranded across the airport terminal.
- Recovery timeline: Chai Eamsiri estimated that the entire backlog of stranded baggage will be processed and cleared within 72 hours.
Meteorological Impact
The commercial aviation disruption follows an extreme weather event: Bangkok recorded roughly 320 mm (12.6 inches) of rainfall over a two- to three-day span last week—an amount equivalent to the city’s average cumulative rainfall for the entire month of September.
The Thai government projects that floodwaters across the capital will recede within three days, provided there is no further precipitation. In response to the crisis, the cabinet, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, approved a relief package exceeding 4 billion baht ($119 million) to manage immediate flood damage, alongside approving a long-term drainage infrastructure project valued at 160 billion baht. With these interventions and receding water levels, the aviation sector aims to restore normal flight schedules and clear all remaining baggage within the next 72 hours.
Related Topics
LATAM Airlines Dismisses Rumors Regarding the Creation of a Venezuelan Subsidiary
Avianca Bolsters Argentina Connectivity: Daily Service to Cordoba and Revamped In-Flight Experience
British Airways Expands Network for Summer 2027: Touches Down in Tanzania and Boosts Latin American Capacity by 25%
Copa Airlines Restores Second Daily Flight to Caracas, Venezuela
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.