Travel Disruption Hits Thailand as 29 Flights Are Cancelled by Cathay Pacific, Jetstar, AirAsia, and More Airlines, Impacting Routes to Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Perth, Jakarta, and More – New Update You Need to Know

Published on October 24, 2025

A growing number of Thailand flight cancellations this week has caused frustration for travelers as both Phuket International Airport and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport reported 29 total cancelled departures. The disruptions have affected key routes to Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Perth, Jakarta, Samui, Xiamen, and Techo International Airport, creating ripple effects across Southeast Asian air travel.

Phuket Airport Cancellations Hit Regional Routes

At Phuket International Airport, several scheduled international services did not take off as planned.
Key cancellations included:

• Cathay Pacific flight CPA770 to Hong Kong International Airport, originally scheduled for Wednesday at 11:50 AM.
• Jetstar flight JST72 bound for Perth International Airport, which was grounded on Sunday afternoon.
• AirAsia flight AKJ624 to Bengaluru International Airport, which was repeatedly cancelled on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, all set for a 1:40 PM departure.

The Phuket Airport cancellations have raised concerns among travelers and tourism operators, as the island remains one of Thailand’s most critical entry points for international visitors. Multiple suspensions on the same route, particularly AirAsia’s Bengaluru service, suggest recurring operational or logistical challenges rather than isolated delays.

Suvarnabhumi Cancellations Disrupt Bangkok Departures

Meanwhile, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, cancellations appeared far more widespread. Airlines such as Sky Angkor Airlines (SWM), Bangkok Airways (BKP), China Xiamen Airlines (CXA), and Garuda Indonesia (GIA) were among those affected.

A series of Suvarnabhumi cancellations primarily involved flights to Techo International Airport (KTI). These routes—operated by Sky Angkor Airlines under flight numbers SWM673, SWM675, and SWM679—were called off multiple times from Monday through Friday. Scheduled for morning, afternoon, and evening departures, these repeated suspensions highlight deeper operational issues rather than short-term interruptions.

Other notable disruptions from Bangkok included:

• Bangkok Airways flights BKP115, BKP169, and BKP185 to Samui Airport (USM), which were cancelled on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
• China Xiamen Airlines flight CXA854 to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, cancelled on Friday afternoon.
• Garuda Indonesia flight GIA869 to Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, grounded on Sunday evening.

The scale of these Bangkok Airport flight delays has created uncertainty for travelers connecting through Thailand’s busiest international hub. Passengers have reported rebookings, schedule reshuffles, and extended waiting periods, as airlines struggle to maintain service regularity.

Summary of Flight Cancellations

Total Cancellations: 29

Possible Causes Behind the Widespread Disruptions

While no airline has issued an official explanation, several factors may have contributed to this cluster of Thailand flight cancellations. Aviation analysts point to:

• Crew shortages, which remain an ongoing challenge across Asia following pandemic-era workforce reductions.
• Aircraft maintenance or rotation issues, as carriers attempt to optimize fleets for seasonal demand.
• Weather disturbances in certain regions, particularly affecting short-haul Southeast Asian routes.
• Operational bottlenecks at airports experiencing a surge in passenger traffic during peak travel periods.

Such combined pressures often result in grounded flights or last-minute rescheduling, with domino effects across connected routes.

Impact on Tourism and Travel Confidence

The latest Thailand travel disruption arrives during a period of renewed tourism growth, as both Phuket and Bangkok are seeing increased international arrivals. Frequent cancellations, however, risk undermining traveler confidence and complicating Thailand’s efforts to sustain its reputation as a reliable regional transit hub.

Tourism authorities have expressed concern over the potential economic ripple effects. Both Phuket and Bangkok rely heavily on air connectivity for international visitors—particularly from India, Australia, China, and neighboring Southeast Asian countries. When flights are cancelled repeatedly, hotel occupancy rates, tour bookings, and business travel can all take a hit.

Broader Effects on Regional Connectivity

The impact of these cancelled international flights goes beyond Thailand’s borders. Routes to Hong Kong, Bengaluru, and Jakarta play a crucial role in maintaining Southeast Asia’s air traffic network. Each cancellation not only disrupts passengers departing Thailand but also affects inbound schedules and aircraft repositioning across other destinations.

Travelers connecting through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi or Phuket International Airport have faced rescheduling headaches, missed onward connections, and sudden overnight stays. These incidents underscore how vulnerable air travel remains to logistical strain, even after the global aviation industry’s post-pandemic rebound.

Airlines Urged to Improve Communication

Passengers caught in these flight disruptions have called for better communication from airlines. In many cases, cancellation notices were issued hours before departure, leaving limited options for rerouting. Travel experts have urged carriers to adopt clearer alert systems and offer real-time status updates via mobile apps or direct messaging.

Authorities are also encouraging coordination between airlines and airport management to prevent overlapping cancellations, especially on high-demand routes such as Bangkok–Samui and Phuket–Bengaluru. Proactive contingency planning, they argue, can minimize passenger inconvenience and reduce pressure on airport operations.

Preparing for Possible Continued Disruptions

As Thailand continues to navigate these challenges, travelers are advised to stay alert for updates and check flight status frequently. Experts recommend arriving early at airports and having flexible travel plans in case of sudden schedule changes.

While aviation authorities have not yet provided an official statement, ongoing Thailand flight cancellations could extend into the coming week if operational issues persist. Passengers are encouraged to contact airlines directly for rebooking options and to monitor announcements from Phuket and Bangkok airports.

Conclusion

The week’s wave of cancellations across Thailand’s busiest airports paints a clear picture of the fragility still facing regional air operations. The repeated disruptions from Phuket Airport cancellations to Suvarnabhumi cancellations reveal how quickly a mix of logistical and staffing pressures can snowball into a broader Thailand travel disruption.

As airlines work to restore regular service and rebuild passenger confidence, the situation serves as a reminder of how interconnected Asia’s aviation network truly is—and how even minor breakdowns can ripple across the region.

In the meantime, travelers through Bangkok and Phuket are advised to plan ahead, remain flexible, and stay informed as airlines continue to stabilize their schedules.