Thai Airways International, a major carrier operating from London Heathrow Airport, has announced a significant reduction in its flight schedule for May 2026, cancelling a total of 46 services. This move comes as the airline grapples with escalating global fuel prices and diminished passenger demand during the low tourism season.
Impact of Global Conflict on Aviation
The schedule adjustments are directly linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, after joint strikes by the United States and Israel targeted key Iranian sites. In retaliation, Iran launched strikes across the Middle East and closed the critical Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route through which approximately 20% of the world's oil passes.
This closure has severely disrupted global oil markets, leading to a sharp increase in fuel costs. The United States has since imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait in an attempt to pressure negotiations and end the closure. While a short-term ceasefire is currently in place, a long-term peace agreement remains elusive, continuing to fuel uncertainty in energy markets.
Thai Airways' Response to Economic Pressures
Thai Airways cited higher oil expenses and softer passenger demand as the primary reasons for the flight reductions. The airline has informed ticket agents of the cancellations and frequency cuts on both domestic and international routes spanning Asia and Europe. Alternative arrangements have been prepared to assist affected agents and passengers during this period.
The domestic routes impacted include cancellations on flights such as TG002 Bangkok–Udon Thani and TG040 Bangkok–Khon Kaen throughout May. Internationally, numerous routes have been affected, including TG329 Bangkok–Hyderabad, TG351 Bangkok–Mumbai, and TG922 Bangkok–Frankfurt, with specific dates outlined for reductions.
Detailed List of Affected Flights
Domestic Routes:
- TG002 Bangkok–Udon Thani: cancelled from May 1-31, 2026
- TG003 Udon Thani–Bangkok: cancelled from May 1-31, 2026
- TG020 Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 5-28, 2026
- TG021 Ubon Ratchathani–Bangkok: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 5-28, 2026
- TG040 Bangkok–Khon Kaen: cancelled from May 1-31, 2026
- TG041 Khon Kaen–Bangkok: cancelled from May 1-31, 2026
International Routes:
- TG329 Bangkok–Hyderabad: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 4-27, 2026
- TG330 Hyderabad–Bangkok: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 5-28, 2026
- TG335 Bangkok–New Delhi: cancelled every Friday from May 1-29, 2026
- TG336 New Delhi–Bangkok: cancelled every Saturday from May 2-30, 2026
- TG351 Bangkok–Mumbai: cancelled from May 1-31, 2026
- TG352 Mumbai–Bangkok: cancelled from May 2, 2026 to June 1, 2026
- TG407 Bangkok–Singapore: cancelled from May 2-31, 2026
- TG408 Singapore–Bangkok: cancelled from May 2-31, 2026
- TG586 Bangkok–Techo (Phnom Penh): cancelled every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May 2-30, 2026
- TG587 Techo (Phnom Penh)–Bangkok: cancelled every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May 2-30, 2026
- TG602 Bangkok–Hong Kong: cancelled from May 6-9, 2026
- TG603 Hong Kong–Bangkok: cancelled from May 7-10, 2026
- TG628 Bangkok–Hong Kong: cancelled from May 9-31, 2026
- TG629 Hong Kong–Bangkok: cancelled from May 9-31, 2026
- TG630 Bangkok–Kaohsiung: cancelled from May 8-31, 2026
- TG631 Kaohsiung–Bangkok: cancelled from May 8-31, 2026
- TG636 Bangkok–Taipei: cancelled from May 6-31, 2026
- TG637 Taipei–Bangkok: cancelled from May 7, 2026 to June 1, 2026
- TG640 Bangkok–Narita: cancelled from May 11-18, 2026 and May 30-31, 2026
- TG641 Narita–Bangkok: cancelled from May 12-19, 2026 and May 31, 2026 to June 1, 2026
- TG656 Bangkok–Incheon: cancelled from May 8-31, 2026
- TG657 Incheon–Bangkok: cancelled from May 9, 2026 to June 1, 2026
- TG662 Bangkok–Shanghai Pudong: cancelled from May 11-29, 2026 and May 31, 2026
- TG663 Shanghai Pudong–Bangkok: cancelled from May 11-29, 2026 and May 31, 2026
- TG674 Bangkok–Beijing: cancelled from May 7-28, 2026 and May 30-31, 2026
- TG675 Beijing–Bangkok: cancelled from May 8-29, 2026 and May 31, 2026 to June 1, 2026
- TG694 Bangkok–Changsha: cancelled from May 10-31, 2026
- TG695 Changsha–Bangkok: cancelled from May 10-31, 2026
- TG900 Bangkok–Istanbul: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 11-27, 2026
- TG901 Istanbul–Bangkok: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 12-28, 2026
- TG922 Bangkok–Frankfurt: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 18-27, 2026
- TG923 Frankfurt–Bangkok: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 18-27, 2026
- TG924 Bangkok–Munich: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 19-28, 2026
- TG925 Munich–Bangkok: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 19-28, 2026
- TG950 Bangkok–Copenhagen: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 18-27, 2026
- TG951 Copenhagen–Bangkok: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 18-27, 2026
- TG954 Bangkok–Oslo: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 19-28, 2026
- TG955 Oslo–Bangkok: cancelled every Tuesday and Thursday from May 19-28, 2026
- TG960 Bangkok–Stockholm: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 18-27, 2026
- TG961 Stockholm–Bangkok: cancelled every Monday and Wednesday from May 18-27, 2026
This extensive list highlights the broad impact of the geopolitical and economic factors on Thai Airways' operations, underscoring the challenges faced by the aviation industry in a volatile global landscape.
