Travel Disruption in Thailand as a Dozen Flights Are Cancelled Including Jetstar, Sky Angkor, Thai VietJet, and Khmer Airlines Affecting Routes to Melbourne, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Phnom Penh, and More – New Update
This report analyzes recent flight cancellations across major Thai airports—Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International—highlighting affected airlines, routes, and the growing impact on regional travel stability.
Thailand’s major airports—Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International—faced an unexpected wave of flight disruptions this week. A total of 12 departures were cancelled, affecting crucial connections to Melbourne, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Sihanoukville, and Phnom Penh. The sudden shake-up in schedules has disrupted both leisure and business travel, underscoring the fragility of regional air operations.
These Thailand flight cancellations involved both domestic and international airlines, with Bangkok Suvarnabhumi recording the majority of grounded flights. The affected routes are among the busiest short-haul corridors in Southeast Asia, linking Thailand to key neighboring tourism and trade centers.
Phuket’s Long-Haul Connection to Australia Cancelled
At Phuket International Airport (VTSP), the most significant disruption involved Jetstar’s JST18 Boeing 787-8 service to Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL). The Sunday night flight, scheduled for 9:45 PM, was cancelled, forcing passengers to rearrange their travel plans.
This setback highlights ongoing pressure on Phuket airport flights, particularly given Australia’s importance as a tourism and trade partner. Many stranded passengers were offered rebookings or rerouted through Bangkok and Singapore to reach Melbourne.
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport Sees Multiple Route Disruptions
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (VTBS) experienced far more widespread disruptions. Over two days—Sunday and Monday—numerous short-haul flights to Vietnam and Cambodia were grounded. The majority of cancellations involved Sky Angkor Airlines and Thai VietJet Air, with several services to Techo International Airport (KTI), Da Nang, and Phu Quoc affected.
Table: List of Cancelled Departures from Bangkok and Phuket Airports
| Airline | Flight No. | Aircraft Type | Destination (Airport) | Scheduled Departure | Airport Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetstar | JST18 | B788 | Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL / YMML) | Sun 09:45 PM +07 | Phuket (VTSP) |
| Sky Angkor Airlines | SWM679 | A320 | Techo International (KTI / VDTI) | Mon 09:05 PM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Thai VietJet Air | TVJ962 | A320 | Da Nang Int’l (DAD / VVDN) | Mon 03:50 PM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Thai VietJet Air | TVJ982 | A320 | Phu Quoc Int’l (PQC / VVPQ) | Mon 02:40 PM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Sky Angkor Airlines | SWM673 | A320 | Techo International (KTI / VDTI) | Mon 09:45 AM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Thai VietJet Air | TVJ964 | A320 | Da Nang Int’l (DAD / VVDN) | Mon 08:15 AM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Sky Angkor Airlines | SWM679 | A320 | Techo International (KTI / VDTI) | Sun 09:05 PM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Thai VietJet Air | TVJ962 | A320 | Da Nang Int’l (DAD / VVDN) | Sun 03:50 PM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Thai VietJet Air | TVJ982 | A320 | Phu Quoc Int’l (PQC / VVPQ) | Sun 02:40 PM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Khmer Airlines | KHV727 | A321 | Sihanoukville Int’l (KOS / VDSV) | Sun 10:35 AM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Sky Angkor Airlines | SWM673 | A320 | Techo International (KTI / VDTI) | Sun 09:45 AM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
| Thai VietJet Air | TVJ964 | A320 | Da Nang Int’l (DAD / VVDN) | Sun 08:15 AM +07 | Bangkok (VTBS) |
The Wider Impact on Southeast Asian Routes
The cumulative effect of these cancellations has been significant, causing widespread Southeast Asia travel disruptions. Popular vacation spots like Da Nang and Phu Quoc saw sudden drops in arrivals, while Cambodia’s Sihanoukville and Techo International Airport experienced limited connectivity.
Several contributing factors have been cited by aviation analysts:
- Crew shortages amid expanding seasonal schedules
- Aircraft maintenance and fleet rotation adjustments
- Weather and air traffic congestion along busy corridors
The Bangkok airport delays also demonstrate the domino effect that even minor scheduling issues can trigger in interconnected flight networks.
Signs of Strain in Airline Reliability
The surge in grounded flights has reignited concerns about airline reliability Thailand. Although the country’s aviation sector continues its post-pandemic recovery, many airlines face tight margins and operational pressures. Expanding routes while managing limited staff and resources has made schedule stability more difficult to maintain.
Frequent travelers in the region report growing uncertainty around short-haul travel between Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Many are forced to rebook or delay their itineraries by 24 hours or more, adding stress to airline customer service systems.
Impact on Passengers and Regional Travel
The latest Thailand flight cancellations have not only disrupted immediate travel plans but also raised concerns among tourism and business communities.
Tourism operators say sudden cancellations can affect hotel bookings, guided tours, and transport schedules. With Southeast Asia’s competitive tourism market, consistent reliability and communication are essential to maintaining traveler confidence.
For business travelers, cancelled international routes often lead to delayed meetings and supply chain interruptions. Bangkok’s role as a regional corporate hub makes such disruptions particularly costly for logistics and trade.
Authorities Monitoring the Situation
While Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has yet to release a public statement, aviation observers expect closer monitoring of airline scheduling patterns. Early data from late October to early November shows increased volatility in departures from major Thai hubs, mirroring similar issues seen in neighboring countries.
Passengers are being advised to:
- Check flight status at least 24 hours before departure
- Sign up for airline alerts to receive real-time updates
- Keep travel plans flexible to accommodate rescheduled departures
Looking Ahead
The wave of Thailand flight cancellations underscores the ongoing challenges facing airlines as they balance cost control with growing travel demand. While operations are expected to stabilize soon, these disruptions highlight the delicate equilibrium within the region’s aviation network.
Thailand remains a key connector in the Southeast Asian travel ecosystem, but ensuring schedule stability will require coordinated action between airlines, regulators, and airports. For now, passengers are urged to remain vigilant and adaptable as the aviation sector continues to navigate an uneven recovery.
The post Travel Disruption in Thailand as a Dozen Flights Are Cancelled Including Jetstar, Sky Angkor, Thai VietJet, and Khmer Airlines Affecting Routes to Melbourne, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Phnom Penh, and More – New Update appeared first on Travel and Tour World
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