Thai travel agents urge airport coordination as Suvarnabhumi faces congestion
ATTA has proposed a joint operations centre and extra staffing, warning that delays could undermine tourism during the final two months of 2026.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has called for coordinated action to address congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport, warning that operational weaknesses could damage visitor confidence and tourism earnings during Thailand’s year-end high season.
Speaking on November 9, secretary-general Adith Chairattananon said concerns about readiness for the final two months of 2026 extended beyond crowding to immigration, airlines, baggage services and ground transport.
ATTA proposed a central operations centre involving Airports of Thailand (AOT), immigration police, airlines, ground handlers and private businesses. It would track conditions as they develop and coordinate responses across the agencies.
Adith also sought additional immigration staff, greater passport processing and baggage handling capacity, and improved passenger transfers during busy periods. He said advance flight information could help managers anticipate demand and deploy staff accordingly.
The association wants measurable service targets for queues, punctuality, baggage collection and passenger movement, alongside regular monitoring and reporting.
Adith warned that delays could raise labour costs and disrupt schedules for tour operators, hotels and transport providers. Congestion could also constrain additional flights, but he said financial losses could not be estimated without reliable operational data.
His comments followed reports on November 5 and 6 of freight accumulating at Thai Airways’ Suvarnabhumi warehouse and cargo airlines restricting acceptance of some shipments. In September, the Thai Chamber of Commerce had also raised concerns about warehouse capacity, staffing, equipment and procedures.
