Report Phuket International Airport Responds to Baggage Handling Issue

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Matichon

 

Phuket International Airport found itself in a bit of a tangle today as technical issues hit their baggage handling system. The glitch rendered conveyor belts No. 3 and No. 4 in the International Passenger Terminal useless. Airport authorities have scrambled to get tech experts on the scene to sort the snafu swiftly.

 

As a result, Phuket airport (HKT) staff were forced into action, physically transferring passenger luggage to working conveyor belts No. 1 and No. 2.

 

This swift manoeuvre ensures that bags continue flowing into the In-Line Baggage Screening System without disruption.

 

 

 

Collaboration with airlines is ongoing, and the airport has mobilised their public relations team to assist and inform passengers.

 

In light of potential delays and inconvenience, the airport has apologised and is standing by to provide further information.

 

Affected travellers are urged to reach out via the Phuket Airport (HKT) Call Center at +66 76 35 1111 or +66 76 35 1801 for assistance.

 

While the glitch has been a cause for concern, swift response and effective communication are mitigating its effects.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from NBT World 2025-04-24

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The glitch rendered conveyor belts No. 3 and No. 4 in the International Passenger Terminal useless.

 

From what I have seen here, this is normal for Thai written software and apps.

[JoePai]

Phuket airport (HKT) staff were forced into action

 

as opposed to staff sitting around and doing nothing ?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This swift manoeuvre ensures that bags continue flowing into the In-Line Baggage Screening System without disruption.

So was there an issue with delayed bags or not ?

[Watawattana]

At least there was some kind of backup plan.  Things will always go wrong, looks like the impact was relatively minimal.

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In light of potential delays and inconvenience, the airport has apologised and is standing by to provide further information.

 

Affected travellers are urged to reach out via the Phuket Airport (HKT) Call Center at +66 76 35 1111 or +66 76 35 1801 for assistance.

 

While the glitch has been a cause for concern, swift response and effective communication are mitigating its effects.

 

Although indicates the reverse...

[Jonathan Swift]

"to sort the snafu swiftly." WWII era military slang. Who knows what snafu actually means? Hands? (no fair looking it up) 

 

Bzzzzzt time's up. Situation normal, all f________d up 

[snoop1130]

Phuket Airport Faces Baggage Belt Breakdown Amid Tourist Surge

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

 

Holidaymakers flying out of Phuket International Airport are being urged to stay calm as they face potential delays, following a breakdown of one of the facility's main baggage conveyor belts. This incident has occurred at a critical time, with the airport handling a large influx of travellers during the busy holiday season.

 

Located in the international terminal, the faulty baggage belt, known as Row EF, has been out of action and is currently undergoing repairs. Airport officials have not provided a specific timeline for when it will be operational again. Despite this, the airport has managed to repair three other conveyor belts—Rows AB, CD, and GH—which are now back in service and functioning normally.

 

To address the inconvenience, the airport has reassigned airlines to counters connected to the operational belts. This move aims to minimise congestion and reduce disruption to check-in procedures. Extra staff have also been deployed, tasked with managing passenger flow and assisting with check-in, to ensure that travellers are processed as smoothly as possible.

 

The breakdown has sparked a wave of frustration among passengers, many of whom have taken to social media platforms to express their discontent over prolonged waiting times and confusion during the check-in process. However, airport officials have emphasised that the overall situation is under control and have reassured travellers that there is no impact on flight departures. "Passenger confidence remains high," they have insisted.

 

 

 

In an effort to maintain transparency, the Royal Thai Air Force, which oversees the airport's operations, has issued a formal apology for the inconvenience caused. They have urged passengers with concerns to contact their 24-hour helpline at the numbers provided.

 

Phuket International Airport is a pivotal hub for international tourism, drawing in significant numbers of visitors, particularly during peak holiday seasons. The country is focused on increasing tourist arrivals in 2025, and such infrastructure challenges highlight the need for vigilance and swift resolution to maintain a smooth operation.

 

Despite one baggage belt being out of service, authorities are confident that the airport will soon resume full operational capacity. The spokesperson for the airport stated, "This issue is being resolved swiftly, and we’re committed to maintaining smooth service."

 

As repairs continue, passengers are advised to plan ahead by arriving early, exercising patience, and preparing for the possibility of delays at the check-in desks. While the airport's wheels may be slowly turning, efforts are diligently underway to ensure Phuket International returns to its usual efficiency, thus supporting Thailand’s tourism aspirations.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-24

 

 

 

[JoePai]

Royal Thai Air Force, which oversees the airport's operations,

 

Crazy, they should keep to flying around in their noisy little jets and keep their noses out of civilian matters

[Colki]

It is a confusing article, paxs retrieving bags on arrival normally look at screen to see carousel where checked in baggage can be retrieved so usually would not even know if some belts inoperable and would no delay departure of outgoing flight.

 

So why warning for paxs to get to airport early and prepare for delays at check in. Is an arrival issue  surely not a departure issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

It is no problem in a few days there will be the TDAC and that will delay at the immigration so a delay on the luggage will not be noticed

[RayWright]

Could be worst!

 

[stevenl]

4 hours ago, Colki said:

It is a confusing article, paxs retrieving bags on arrival normally look at screen to see carousel where checked in baggage can be retrieved so usually would not even know if some belts inoperable and would no delay departure of outgoing flight.

 

So why warning for paxs to get to airport early and prepare for delays at check in. Is an arrival issue  surely not a departure issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a departure issue.