Key facts
- At least 21 flights connecting Hong Kong and Bangkok were delayed or disrupted on Sunday and Monday.
- Bangkok experienced its worst flooding in 15 years after heavy rainfall from Thursday to Monday.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport faced baggage chaos, with passengers waiting up to six hours for luggage.
- Some international passengers departed Thailand without their checked luggage.
- A Thai Airways flight carrying Asian Games athletes to Nagoya was delayed by nearly eight hours.
- Both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports remained open, but ground operations were severely impacted.
Severe flooding in Bangkok, Thailand, caused significant disruptions to international air travel over the weekend, impacting flights between Hong Kong and the Thai capital. At least 21 flights were delayed or disrupted on Sunday and Monday as heavy rainfall, described as the worst in 15 years, inundated the city.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, one of Bangkok's main international hubs, experienced severe baggage handling issues. Passengers reported waiting up to six hours for their luggage, and in some cases, flights departed leaving checked bags behind. A Thai Airways flight carrying Asian Games athletes to Nagoya was delayed by nearly eight hours due to flood-related staffing shortages and broken baggage equipment. In-flight catering was also affected as delivery trucks were blocked by floodwaters.
Despite the operational challenges, both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport remained open. However, submerged access roads prevented ground handling personnel from reaching Suvarnabhumi, leading to manpower deficits. Thai Airways was particularly affected by these issues.
Airlines including AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet offered passengers affected by the flooding between September 26 and 28 the option of flight changes or travel credits. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared all 50 districts of the city a disaster zone on September 26, following nearly 300mm of rain in 48 hours. The Thai prime minister declared September 28 and 29 as government holidays, and schools were closed.