Chamber Urges Overhaul of Suvarnabhumi Air Cargo to Boost Exports

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is pressing the government to overhaul Suvarnabhumi’s Air Cargo operations before it undermines exports valued at 2.4 trillion baht. Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Thailand, said the chamber has been closely monitoring services at Suvarnabhumi Airport for both passengers and cargo. In the past three to four days, heavy rain and flooding in several areas have disrupted travel to and from the airport, while flight delays and numerous cancellations have left passengers stranded and luggage delayed, causing significant hardship for travelers and businesspeople.

"The airport is the first gateway that visitors experience when they arrive in Thailand. Disruptions in service undermine confidence and the country’s image, especially as we enter the year‑end tourism season, when visitor numbers rise, and Thailand prepares to host the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 from October 12‑18. The government and related agencies must therefore integrate and urgently resolve these problems to restore normal travel and service as quickly as possible," he said.

Regarding air cargo, the Thai Chamber has continuously monitored congestion and limitations, finding that the issues have been accumulating since last year, involving warehouse space, manpower, equipment, and operational procedures, which become more apparent as air cargo volumes rise. Data from January–July 2026 show that Thailand’s air‑borne trade value is approximately 5.53 trillion baht, of which exports account for about 2.42 trillion baht, roughly one‑third of total exports. Key products include electronics worth over 1.32 trillion baht and agricultural and food goods worth more than 380 billion baht, highlighting the importance of Air Cargo to the country’s export competitiveness.

In recent periods, the number of charter cargo flights and cargo volumes have risen continuously, forcing the system to handle high workloads. TG’s warehouse once requested a temporary suspension of charter cargo intake to manage accumulated stock, reflecting capacity constraints. Passenger numbers in 2026 also show 118 airlines operating a total of 340,000 flights, up 1.83%, carrying 59.62 million passengers, reinforcing Suvarnabhumi’s role as the nation’s gateway that must become a global aviation hub.

"The problem is not solely due to cargo volume; it involves space, manpower, equipment, work processes, and the infrastructure used to screen cargo safety before loading. When several constraints occur together, they can cause persistent bottlenecks throughout the system. The recent flooding that affected staff and passenger travel has further compounded the situation, so we must urgently overhaul the entire system," Dr. Poj said.

Meanwhile, Phumintrat Harinsut, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Logistics & Supply Chain Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Thailand, said the committee has gathered data from operators and related agencies throughout the air cargo supply chain to formulate solutions, emphasizing that effective remedies require cooperation from all parties, including warehouses, the airport, safety regulators, and the