BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai Airways International is working to clear a backlog of more than 10,000 passenger bags that accumulated over a four-day period, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said.
Between Sept. 26 and Sept. 29, over 10,000 pieces of luggage were delayed at Bangkok’s main airport. Staff are currently sorting through the baggage at a rate of approximately 2,000 bags per day, with about 8,000 items remaining. To assist with baggage handling, 100 Royal Thai Air Force personnel have been deployed to help move luggage, though specialized airline staff are still required to sort the items.
Officials aim to resolve the backlog by Oct. 2. The airline is contacting passengers once their bags are identified to arrange either pickup at the airport or delivery to their final destination. “The incident has negatively affected the country’s image,” Phiphat said, adding that the Ministry of Transport and Thai Airways are considering compensation measures for affected passengers, particularly transit travelers whose journeys were disrupted. Lost or damaged luggage will be handled according to airline insurance policies and relevant guidelines.
Thai Airways chief executive Chai Eamsiri apologized for the disruption, stating that overall flight operations have returned to more than 90% of normal capacity. However, remaining luggage within the sorting system and transfer terminals still needs to be cleared.
Thai Airways typically operates around 115 daily outbound flights. After reducing services by about 28 flights following initial operational issues, the airline plans to operate 100 flights on Thursday, 105 flights on Oct. 2, and return to its full schedule of 115 daily flights within seven days. (TNA)
