Thai Airways fires CEO amid flight delays, baggage backlog after floods

Bangkok: Thailand's national airline Thai Airways dismissed its chief executive on Friday, citing flight delays and baggage backlog issues exacerbated by the recent Bangkok flooding, according to local media. The tourism minister had previously criticized the airline's handling of the flooding, which was declared an emergency on Saturday.

Thai Airways' CEO, Chai Eamsiril, had previously apologized for the company and pledged to resolve the backlog of over 5,000 bags left at the main Suvarnabhumi airport. However, media reports indicate the board removed him immediately following the criticism. The airport had attributed the baggage mishaps to staff unable to report for duty due to the flooding.

Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul suggested that Thai Airways management should resign if they could not resolve the delays, arguing that such issues were harming Thailand's reputation and its tourism sector. Bangkok experienced nearly 48 hours of continuous rain last weekend, leading to widespread flooding that left at least a dozen people dead across the country.

The airline suspended 24 flights on Thursday and Friday and plans to resume its full schedule on Saturday. It has apologized to passengers and pledged to enhance its management procedures. Chai Eamsiril joined Thai Airways in 1985 and took up the role of CEO in February 2023.