Air cargo operations at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) remain severely congested as of November 11, 2026. The Thai Airways (TG) cargo terminal is still working through import backlogs that built up during the late-September flooding, and the delays are now affecting both import and export shipments as year-end peak season volumes rise.
Background
Flooding in Bangkok in late September left the TG cargo terminal short of staff. Industry reports in early November cited more than 1,000 outstanding cargo lots and 700–800 pallets awaiting breakdown. Neither Thai Airways nor Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced a recovery date. AOT has convened talks with Thai Airways Cargo, Bangkok Flight Services (BFS), the Customs Department and forwarder and shipper associations to clear the congestion.
TG Terminal
Operations at the TG terminal remain significantly congested. A large volume of inbound cargo is still on PMC pallets awaiting breakdown, which has tied up the pallets and loading equipment needed for outbound cargo. The main constraints are:
- Accumulated import cargo and limited warehouse space
- Delays in pallet breakdown
- Difficulty locating shipments within the warehouse
- Insufficient PMC pallets and loading equipment for export build-up
BFS Terminal
Operations at the BFS terminal have gradually improved, with export cargo acceptance and staffing returning to more normal levels. Some backlogs and delays may still occur, particularly during peak periods, and truck queues at the terminal frontage remain long.
Impact on Shipments
- Imports: Cargo collection at TG may take several days to weeks while shipments are located and released.
- Exports: Shipments may be rolled to flights approximately 2–3 days later than the original booking due to warehouse congestion and limited handling capacity.
- Capacity: Some airlines have placed temporary restrictions on Bangkok-bound bookings while the backlog is cleared, so space into BKK may tighten at short notice.
Recommendations for Shippers
- Prioritize BFS-handled airlines: Where possible, book with carriers handled at the BFS terminal to avoid the congestion at TG.
- Consider alternative routings: Move cargo to a nearby air hub and arrange onward transport to Thailand by truck or sea, depending on urgency and feasibility.
- Build in buffer time: Allow additional lead time for both import and export shipments, and share revised delivery expectations with your consignees.
Dimerco’s Flexible Routing Solutions to Thailand
To keep Thailand-bound cargo moving, Dimerco has put the following options in place:
- Air-Truck via Singapore (SIN) and Hanoi (HAN): Cargo flies into SIN or HAN and moves by road into Thailand, bypassing the BKK terminals. From Singapore, Dimerco offers both dedicated full-truckload service for a single consignee and consolidated truckload service to a bonded warehouse in Bangkok, where Dimerco Thailand coordinates import clearance and final delivery.
- Air-Air via Singapore (SIN): Cargo is consolidated in Singapore, and the second leg into Bangkok is flown with a partner carrier handled at the BFS terminal, avoiding the TG warehouse.
All options are managed end to end by Dimerco Singapore and Dimerco Thailand, with milestone updates from pickup to proof of delivery.
Dimerco continues to monitor the situation at Suvarnabhumi closely and will share updates as conditions change. To review your Thailand shipments or explore an alternative routing, contact your Dimerco representative or reach out to our logistics experts.