Thai Airways Cancels Flights Amid CEO Apology for Baggage Crisis as Stranded Passengers Await Answers
Carrier issues CEO apology, deploys extra staff to clear backlog from 52 flights, and cancels key regional routes on Tuesday
- Thai Airways cancelled several domestic and international flights on Tuesday following severe operational failures at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- The airline's CEO, Chai Eamsiri, issued a personal apology for the widespread disruption and inconvenience caused to passengers.
- The crisis was triggered by a major baggage handling failure, which left a backlog of luggage from 52 flights and caused significant delays.
- In response, the airline has deployed extra staff to accelerate the sorting and delivery of the delayed baggage to affected customers.
Carrier issues CEO apology, deploys extra staff to clear backlog from 52 flights, and cancels key regional routes on Tuesday.
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced select flight cancellations early on Tuesday morning following a night of operational turmoil at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where severe ground-handling failures left thousands of passengers stranded for hours without their luggage or official communication.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, the flag carrier confirmed the cancellation of several domestic and international round-trip services:
Bangkok – Khon Kaen: TG040 / TG041
Bangkok – Phuket: TG201 / TG202
Bangkok – Hanoi: TG560 / TG561
Bangkok – Singapore: TG403 / TG404
The airline issued a formal apology for the disruption and advised affected passengers to contact the THAI Overseas Contact Centre (+65 6351 0992), the domestic 24-hour Contact Centre (+66 2 356 1111), or reach out via email at [email protected].
CEO Apology and Recovery Operation
Addressing the wider operational collapse, THAI issued a secondary statement vowing to expedite the delivery of delayed baggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The carrier disclosed that 34 flights experienced delays on 28 September alone, while luggage from 52 flights operated between 26 and 27 September remains in the process of being sorted and delivered to registered passengers.
Chai Eamsiri, Chief Executive Officer of THAI, issued a direct personal apology regarding the ongoing disruption: "I sincerely apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused. Thai Airways is making every effort to ensure that passengers are reunited with their baggage as soon as possible. We will continue to closely monitor the situation until all affected baggage has been successfully delivered."
THAI stated that additional personnel and resources have been deployed to accelerate sorting, handling, and home delivery procedures.
Passenger Information and Collection Channels
The airline outlined procedures for affected passengers seeking to retrieve their belongings or trace lost items:
In-Person Collection: Passengers retrieving luggage directly can visit the Baggage Services Office on Level 2, situated in front of the Domestic Arrivals Exit, open daily between 06:30 and 23:30 hrs (Tel. +66 2 134 5373–74).
QR Code Registrations: For passengers who completed online registration via QR code, THAI is arranging direct delivery to the provided residential or hotel addresses. Staff will verify passenger details via telephone or email prior to dispatch.
Unregistered Baggage Enquiries: Passengers who have not yet registered or require further assistance can contact ground operations directly via +66 2 134 5373–74 (Domestic) or +66 2 134 5466–68 (International).
THAI reiterated its apologies for the severe disruption and stated that teams continue to work around the clock to clear the remaining backlog.
