Minister tells Thai Airways to keep cargo moving and expects 8,000 bags cleared by Oct 2
Thai Airways is working to clear a backlog of 8,000 bags at Suvarnabhumi Airport following staffing shortages that disrupted cargo and baggage services. The Transport Ministry has intervened to ensure cargo operations continue and expects the situation to normalize by early October.
Why it matters
Operational failures at major international hubs can cause significant supply chain disruptions and impact tourism and trade logistics.
BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn on Wednesday (Sept 30) told Thai Airways International to keep cargo services operating despite staff shortages and expressed confidence that its baggage backlog at Suvarnabhumi Airport would be cleared by Friday (Oct 2).
About 8,000 bags remain awaiting delivery, Phiphat said. Thai Airways chief executive Chai Eamsiri outlined a separate recovery timetable for flights, saying normal operations should resume within seven days.
Phiphat said a meeting to review Thai Airways’ baggage and flight disruption had asked the airline not to halt cargo warehouse services because a shutdown would have wide-ranging consequences. The airline had announced plans to suspend the acceptance of import and export cargo after staffing problems spread to its freight business.
The Transport Ministry has asked Airports of Thailand (AOT) to set aside temporary space at Suvarnabhumi Airport to consolidate cargo awaiting processing at Thai Airways’ warehouse, Phiphat said.
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