Suvarnabhumi Cargo Terminal Stays Open as Thai Airways Clears 8,000 Delayed Bags

 

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirms joint military support to resolve luggage backlogs and fully restore operations within seven days. 

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) will keep its cargo operations open at Suvarnabhumi Airport while deploying military personnel and extra machinery to clear a backlog of approximately 8,000 delayed bags, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

 

Speaking after a joint crisis meeting with THAI, Airports of Thailand (AOT), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that inbound and outbound air freight services will remain operational, albeit with minor procedural adjustments to manage space.

 

To prevent cargo damage, AOT has designated covered staging areas fitted with rain-proof tents to accommodate freight awaiting transport.

 

 

Joint Military Operation to Clear Luggage Backlog

To expedite recovery operations, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has dispatched 12 cargo loaders and specialized drivers from Wing 6, alongside an additional 100 personnel deployed on Wednesday (September 30).

 

They join Royal Thai Army troops who have been assisting on-site since 26 September.

 

The military task division is structured as follows:

Military Personnel: Handing manual lifting, transport, and physical movement of baggage.

Thai Airways Specialist Staff: Managing baggage tag verification and passenger matching, which require specialized operational expertise.

 

 

 

The backlog stemmed from operational disruptions between 26 and 28 September, accumulating peak delayed baggage of roughly 10,000 items.

 

Around 1,800 pieces were processed and returned over the past 24 hours, leaving 8,000 bags—including 4,000 items currently staged at the Transfer Domestic Terminal (TDT) and surrounding areas.

 

While standard operational capacity caps clearance at 2,000 bags daily—a process that would normally take three to four days—accelerated workflows aim to clear the bulk of items by 1 October, with complete resolution targeted by 2 October.

 

Phiphat emphasised that all state and private sector agencies are taking collective responsibility without shifting blame.

 

Since 29 September, newly arriving baggage has been processed on a daily basis without adding to the backlog.

 

 

Priority Focus on Transit Passengers and Direct Delivery

Thai Airways has established an emergency war room to track and contact affected passengers individually.

 

Transit Passengers: Designated as the top operational priority, as a number of travellers have refused to proceed on connecting flights without their luggage. Staff are individually matching bags to ensure delivery onto departing flights.

 

Domestic Passengers: In partnership with Thailand Post, a dedicated service point has been set up at the terminal to deliver luggage directly to passengers' residences.

 

Self-collection options are also available at designated airport pick-up zones. Regulatory agencies have instituted strict oversight, requiring THAI and AOT to submit progress reports every eight hours, alongside daily status review meetings at 16:00.

 

 

 

Passenger Compensation and Flight Capacity Restoration

Thai Airways confirmed it will take full financial responsibility for passenger losses:

 

Lost Baggage: Fully covered under the airline's established corporate insurance policy.

Missed or Rescheduled Flights: THAI will absorb all costs resulting from missed connections and itinerary changes.

 

THAI Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri reported that frontline staffing levels have recovered to 90 per cent capacity, with operational divisions reaching 80 per cent.

 

To restore normal flight schedules—which typically average 115 daily outbound flights (230 total daily movements)—THAI has outlined a phased 7-day recovery timetable:

 

1 October: Affected outbound flights reduced to 15, restoring roughly 100 active flights.

2 October: Flight schedules scaled up to 105 active outbound flights.

7-Day Target: Full restoration to normal operational capacity of 115 daily outbound flights.

 

AOT has additionally mobilised headquarters staff, airport personnel, and outsourced contractors to assist in moving delayed luggage from sorting areas directly onto baggage belts to expedite passenger reunions.