Thai Airways expects to clear backlog of 1,092 bags by Oct 4

Thailand’s national airline Thai Airways expects to return the remaining backlog of 1,092 delayed bags at Suvarnabhumi Airport to passengers by Oct 4, according to an airline update issued at 10pm on Oct 3.



The baggage backlog began on Sept 26, when flooding prevented some ground-handling employees from reaching work.



Breakdowns involving baggage transport vehicles compounded the staffing shortage, leaving arriving passengers waiting for luggage, delaying some departing flights and preventing bags from reaching their destinations on schedule.



The Transport Ministry said on Sept 26 that flooding had not directly affected operations at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports, although journeys to the airports were disrupted.



Measures were introduced to assist affected passengers.



Thai Airways’ Oct 3 update showed that the baggage backlog remained unresolved, busting the Transport Ministry’s Oct 2 clearance deadline.



Chai Eamsiri, speaking as Thai Airways’ chief executive on Sept 29, said about 5,000 bags from the airline’s flights remained at Suvarnabhumi and set a target of clearing them within 72 hours.