Thai Airways deploys military, extra staff to clear flood-related luggage delays

BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) — Thai Airways International has added staff and called in air force personnel to resolve severe baggage delivery delays at Suvarnabhumi Airport caused by heavy rain and flooding, the company and military officials said.

Recent heavy downpours and local flooding rendered many ground service staff unable to report for work, leading to operational disruptions that left some passengers waiting between three and 10 hours for their luggage.

The airline said it has increased manpower over the past two days to clear the backlog and began delivering registered delayed baggage to passengers on Monday afternoon.

Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force deployed 69 personnel from the Royal Thai Air Force’s Security Force Command to assist ground operations at the airport following a request from the flag carrier to replace staff affected by the floods.

Passengers affected by delays are being requested to complete missing baggage forms or contact the Thai Airways Lost and Found center at Suvarnabhumi Airport to facilitate tracking and delivery. -819 (TNA)