AS Suvarnabhumi Airport’s cargo facilities have hit a bottleneck, with a backlog of imported goods and raw materials having led to some factories slowing down or halting production lines, while businesses are forced to shoulder rising costs, the government today (Nov. 10) told Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to coordinate with Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) to resolve the issue, Naewna newspaper and PPTVHD36 said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told AOT to restore normal warehouse operations as quickly as possible and prevent any negative impact on the nation’s logistics system.
Ms. Paweena Jariyathitipong, president of AOT, said the public company has been working to resolve the situation since October. Additional space has been provided and “AOT Cargo Clearhouse” platform developed to assist THAI.
The measures taken include the following:
(1) Allocating space in Warehouse 4 within Suvarnabhumi Airport Free Zone to accommodate “huge cargo,” which has facilitated faster clearance of the backlog.
(2) Collaborating with THAI and Thai Customs Department to utilise domestic warehouse space for customs clearance of inbound international cargo, thereby easing congestion for THAI.
(3) Integrating THAI’s Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with AOT Cargo Clearhouse platform—a system developed by AOT to enhance cargo status tracking—enabling operators to more quickly verify when goods are ready for collection.
(4) Continuously monitoring the volume of incoming, outgoing, and remaining cargo to ensure that any issues can be addressed in a timely manner and restore services to normal as quickly as possible.
“AOT will collaborate with WFS-PG Cargo Co., Ltd. to expand the ‘AOT Cargo Clearhouse’ system to cover both of its warehouses. This initiative aims to streamline the management of cargo vehicles and reduce wait times for cargo retrieval within the Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Free Zone.
“To date, 46,000 cargo retrieval requests have already been processed through the system. These efforts will enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s logistics sector within the region and further develop Thailand’s airports into a world-class aviation hub,” Paweena said.
Meanwhile Mr. Thanakorn Kasetsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), said over the weekend that while relevant authorities have attempted to coordinate initial solutions, the situation on the ground has not significantly improved. Three major areas have been impacted as follows:
(1) Stranded raw materials threaten production lines:
Difficulties in locating cargo within the warehouse have made it impossible to retrieve essential imported goods and raw materials. Consequently, some industrial plants are facing shortages, forcing them to slow down or partially halt production lines—creating a risk of failing to meet delivery deadlines for international customers.
(2) Increased costs for businesses:
Delays in cargo retrieval have imposed additional financial burdens on the private sector, including overtime labour costs and transport expenses. Furthermore, businesses face the risk of penalties for late delivery or, in extreme cases, the cancellation of contracts by their trading partners.
(3) Risk to fourth-quarter exports:
This crisis comes at a time when Thai exports are on the rise, particularly high-value technology goods that rely heavily on air freight. If the backlog of cargo is not cleared in time, it could negatively impact export performance in the fourth quarter and undermine the confidence of foreign investors and economic growth by 2027.
Strong export growth met with air freight bottlenecks
Thanakorn added that TNSC has revised its forecast for Thai exports in 2026, projecting growth of 17–19%—with the total value estimated at US$390–405 billion. During the first nine months, exports grew by 19.6%, while imports surged by 37.8%, reaching a value of US$348.282 billion.
A key driver of this growth is the trade in goods that rely on air freight—such as electronic circuit boards, computer components, AI equipment, and data centre hardware—as well as the import of high-tech components and advanced raw materials for manufacturing.
TNSC warned that as the import and export of technology-related goods expand rapidly, air cargo facilities have become a critical piece of infrastructure for the Thai economy. If the issue of cargo congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport is allowed to persist, the damage will extend well beyond immediate losses for businesses or short-term export performance; it could ultimately undermine investor confidence and Thailand’s long-term competitiveness.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Cargo being moved at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo – PPTVHD36
Insert: Officials discuss cargo bottleneck at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo – Naewna
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