Published on
October 27, 2025
Thailand’s aviation sector faced a week of severe disruptions, with a total of 27 flight cancellations recorded across Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport and Phuket International Airport. The affected destinations included Cambodia, India, Hong Kong, and Australia. The sudden wave of suspended flights has raised concerns among travelers and industry experts about ongoing operational stability in the region.
Rising Flight Disruptions Across Thailand
Two of Thailand’s busiest airports—Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (VTBS) and Phuket International (VTSP)—saw extensive interruptions in both domestic and international operations. These cancellations disrupted major routes connecting Thailand to Phnom Penh, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, and Perth.
The majority of the Thailand flight cancellations occurred at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where several airlines halted services for multiple consecutive days. Phuket, a tourism gateway for southern Thailand, also saw multiple international flights suspended, impacting regional travel plans.
Skywings Asia Airlines Leads Bangkok Cancellations
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, Skywings Asia Airlines (SWM) accounted for the largest share of suspended flights, grounding numerous Techo International Airport flights bound for Cambodia. Over a seven-day period, at least 15 flights were cancelled, covering both morning and evening schedules.
The suspended flights included:
- SWM673 – 09:35 AM departures
- SWM675 – 02:40 PM departures
- SWM679 – 08:10 PM departures
Each of these routes was repeatedly cancelled throughout the week, affecting passengers traveling between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. Experts suggest that these disruptions may be tied to scheduling adjustments or coordination issues as Skywings manages its growing route network.
Bangkok Airways Grounds Multiple Samui Services
Bangkok Airways (BKP) also made changes to its domestic routes, leading to several Samui cancelled flights. Services affected included BKP115, BKP169, BKP181, and BKP185, all operating between Bangkok and Samui.
These flights, typically operated with ATR 72 and A319 aircraft, were cancelled between Thursday and Saturday. The interruptions occurred during a busy tourism period, affecting travel to one of Thailand’s most popular island destinations.
Xiamen Airlines Adds to the Bangkok Airport Disruptions
Adding to the Bangkok airport disruptions, China Xiamen Airlines (CXA) cancelled its A321 flight CXA854 to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport on Friday. Although only one flight was affected, it added to the growing list of weekly cancellations, further straining the airport’s operations.
Travelers reported longer queues and limited rebooking options, while airlines cited “operational reasons” behind the suspensions.
Phuket Also Hit by International Flight Cancellations
Phuket International Airport was not spared from the travel turmoil. Three major outbound routes were cancelled, disrupting air links to Hong Kong, Australia, and India.
The affected flights included:
- Cathay Pacific (CPA770) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Jetstar Airways (JST72) to Perth International Airport (PER)
- AirAsia India (AKJ624) to Bengaluru International Airport (BLR)
These Phuket flight cancellations disrupted the travel plans of hundreds of passengers, especially those connecting through Hong Kong and Bengaluru for further international routes.
Summary of All Cancellations
| Airport | Airline | Flight Number(s) | Destination | Aircraft Type | Total Cancellations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) | Skywings Asia Airlines (SWM) | SWM673, SWM675, SWM679 | Techo International (KTI) | A320 | 15 |
| Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) | Bangkok Airways (BKP) | BKP115, BKP169, BKP181, BKP185 | Samui (USM) | ATR 72 / A319 | 4 |
| Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) | China Xiamen Airlines (CXA) | CXA854 | Xiamen Gaoqi International (XMN) | A321 | 1 |
| Phuket International | Cathay Pacific (CPA) | CPA770 | Hong Kong International (HKG) | A21N | 1 |
| Phuket International | Jetstar Airways (JST) | JST72 | Perth International (PER) | A21N | 1 |
| Phuket International | AirAsia India (AKJ) | AKJ624 | Bengaluru International (BLR) | B38M | 1 |
| Total | — | — | — | — | 27 |
Possible Reasons Behind the Disruptions
While airlines have not issued detailed explanations, aviation observers point to a combination of factors contributing to the Thailand flight cancellations:
- Operational realignment: Airlines may be reworking schedules to improve aircraft utilization.
- Staffing limitations: Shortages of pilots and cabin crew have affected multiple carriers.
- Maintenance and safety checks: Technical reviews often lead to temporary route suspensions.
- Regional coordination issues: Techo International Airport flights may be affected by the ongoing adjustment period at Cambodia’s new international hub.
Broader Impact on Passengers and Tourism
The repeated suspensions across Bangkok and Phuket have caused widespread Thailand travel delays. Passengers have experienced unexpected stopovers, missed connections, and limited rebooking options.
The impact has been particularly noticeable among tourists and business travelers. Popular destinations like Phnom Penh, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, and Perth are key to Thailand’s tourism and trade links, making any disruption significant.
Industry analysts caution that prolonged interruptions could affect traveler confidence, especially as Southeast Asia continues to recover its aviation capacity post-pandemic.
Techo International Airport’s Growing Role
Many of the affected routes were bound for Cambodia’s Techo International Airport, which recently began operating as the country’s new main aviation hub. While its expansion marks an important step for Cambodia’s aviation industry, it may also be contributing to some of the disruptions.
New international hubs often face teething issues, such as flight coordination, scheduling alignment, and slot management, which can temporarily affect services from neighboring countries like Thailand.
A Difficult Week for Thai Aviation
Overall, it has been a challenging period for Thailand’s aviation sector. The 27 total cancellations highlight how even major airports like Suvarnabhumi and Phuket can face cascading operational issues.
Passengers are advised to:
- Check flight updates frequently.
- Build extra buffer time into travel plans.
- Choose flexible booking options in case of last-minute changes.
While airlines are expected to resume normal operations soon, further adjustments could follow as they recalibrate schedules to meet demand and improve punctuality.
Conclusion
The recent wave of Thailand flight cancellations underscores ongoing challenges in the region’s air travel recovery. Routes linking Thailand with Cambodia, India, Hong Kong, and Australia remain critical for tourism and trade. As airlines continue to adapt, travelers should stay alert to potential schedule changes and evolving operational conditions.
Despite these short-term setbacks, Thailand’s aviation sector is expected to stabilize once airlines complete fleet adjustments and regional coordination improves.
