Thai Airways faces baggage and flight crisis amid flooding

Thai Airways is facing a major operational crisis at Suvarnabhumi Airport, characterized by massive baggage backlogs and near-total flight delays. The airline attributes the disruption to severe flooding in Bangkok, which has prevented many ground staff and specialized personnel from reaching work. The company has announced a 30% reduction in flights to manage capacity and aims to clear approximately 5,600 pieces of delayed luggage within 72 hours.

Government officials have criticized the airline's management. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul expressed concern that the situation damages Thailand's tourism image, alleging that Thai Airways prioritized ground handling services for other airlines over its own passengers to avoid contractual penalties. He further noted a lack of coordination with assisting agencies, including military personnel who provided manual labor but reportedly received inadequate food and accommodation.

The Ministry of Transport has called for an emergency board meeting to address the crisis. While the airline is working with the military, the Air Force, and Thailand Post to expedite luggage delivery, officials emphasized that compensation for affected passengers remains the direct responsibility of Thai Airways.