Thai Airways Cuts Flights After Flooding Cripples Airport Operations
Thai Airways reduced Bangkok departures by up to 40% after severe flooding caused staff shortages and a 5,000-bag backlog at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Following a severe operational collapse at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Airways International reduced its Bangkok departures by 30% to 40% starting September 29, 2026. The disruption began around September 26 after 320mm of rain—nearly a month's typical rainfall—flooded suburban areas like Lat Krabang, preventing licensed ground staff from reaching the airport. At the peak of the crisis, fewer than 3% of flights operated on schedule.
Cancellations affected domestic and international routes, including flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Frankfurt, Munich, and Brussels. The staffing shortage, compounded by baggage-handling equipment failures, created a backlog of approximately 5,000 bags from 52 flights. To resolve the crisis, the airline deployed Royal Thai Air Force personnel and partnered with Thailand Post to deliver luggage to passengers.
Chief Executive Chai Eamsiri apologized for the inconvenience, though reports suggest the airline may have prioritized third-party partner flights over its own to avoid financial penalties. The Ministry of Transport and Airports of Thailand are currently reviewing the incident for potential administrative sanctions and financial penalties. Meanwhile, the Government of Thailand approved 4.1 billion baht in emergency relief for 2.6 million people affected by the nationwide flooding.
