Only 18% of 10,000-bag backlog cleared at Suvarnabhumi

A total of 10,000 pieces of luggage piled up at Suvarnabhumi airport between Sept 26 and 28 as a result of flooding and operational failures by Thai Airways International, with only 18% cleared as of Wednesday, according to Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

The national carrier’s cargo acceptance would likely be slowed down, rather than suspended as THAI had previously announced, he said, with authorities trying to add more personnel to help with operations. 

Mr Phiphat, who is also a deputy prime minister, delivered the update during a media briefing livestreamed on the THAI Corporate Communications Facebook page at 4.40pm.

About 1,800 of the 10,000 pieces of luggage had been sent out for delivery to passengers who registered with the airline, he said.

The stranded luggage was limited to baggage due to arrive over three days – Sept 26, 27 and 28. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, all other baggage was handled normally, Mr Phiphat said.

It would take about three to four days to clear the backlog, at a rate of up to 2,000 pieces per day, he said.

Authorities have added more ground staff, including 100 soldiers on Wednesday.

“However, the additional staff can help only with physically demanding jobs, while some operations still require THAI staff with specialised skills,” Mr Phiphat said.

THAI chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri said that about 90% of frontline staff had returned to work, while about 80% of operational crew had resumed their duties.

Asked what the government had stressed to the airline during the disruption, Mr Phiphat said the company must inform authorities about what it was lacking and the government would provide whatever was needed.

“Our image has been tarnished. What happened today is spreading across social media around the world. No one can hide it,” Mr Phiphat said. “What we can do today is to solve this together.” (Story continues below)

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (centre) addresses a media briefing on Wednesday evening, flanked by Thai Airways Chai Eamsiri (second from left), Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat (second from right) and officials from the Airports of Thailand and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. (Screenshot)

Solution sought for cargo

Mr Phiphat said authorities had also discussed cargo operations, asking the airline not to suspend them but only to slow them down.

The airline had previously announced a temporary suspension of inbound, outbound and transit cargo acceptance at its cargo terminal from Oct 1-6 because of the flooding that had disrupted staff travel and warehouse operations.

The Ministry of Transport, Airports of Thailand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways were all working together to ensure continued cargo operations, Mr Phiphat said, adding that they would coordinate with THAI and provide updates every eight hours. (Story continues below)

(Photo: Ministry of Transport)

(Photo: Ministry of Transport)

Information for passengers

THAI has established a war room to expedite baggage sorting and coordinate directly with passengers using the contact information on record, Mr Phiphat said. For domestic passengers and Thai nationals, passengers may choose to collect their baggage in person or have it delivered to their accommodation. Complimentary delivery services are being provided by Thailand Post. Transit passengers present the greatest concern as some have refused to continue their journeys until their luggage is returned. Staff members have been required to conduct item-by-item searches to match baggage with its owner. In cases of lost baggage, Thai Airways has insurance coverage and is prepared to fully compensate passengers for any losses incurred. The airline is also prepared to cover expenses arising from flight delays or changes.

While the baggage situation is slowly being resolved, the airline continues to face a barrage of questions over numerous cancelled and delayed flights.

In has cancelled more than 60 domestic and international flights in recent days, fearful that more flights would mean even more baggage, overwhelming already stretched resources at the airport.

Shares plunge

Investors too are anxious about what is turning into one of the biggest public-relations nightmares the airline has ever faced.

THAI shares fell 5.8% on the Stock Exchange of Thailand to close at 5.70 baht on Wednesday in heavy turnover worth 1.04 billion baht.

The decline came as the overall SET Index fell 2.2%, or 35.29 points to 1,559.01, with high turnover of 121 billion baht as foreign investors cut exposure and sold Thai blue-chips.

Foreign investors were net sellers of 10.7 billion baht worth of Thai shares for the day, but remain net buyers of 25.1 billion for the year to date.