Business Air (Thailand) (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has temporarily suspended operations after its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) was revoked by the Thai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) last week. The move has resulted in hundreds of passengers being stranded at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi most of whom were awaiting flights to Seoul Incheon in South Korea.

The regulator says the it ordered the carrier to suspend operations after its repeat failure to settle debts owed to air traffic control and aeronautical communication services provider, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai).

According to the Bangkok Post, the carrier says it is currently in court with Aerothai over the outstanding amount. The DCA, however, says this cannot be used as an excuse and ordered the carrier to suspend operations until it had sorted out its financial affairs.

The DCA has warned that if the airline is unable to do so by Thursday, January 22, it would revoke the carrier's licence indefinitely.

Business Air had operated a fleet of three B767-300(ER)s of which two are currently parked in Bangkok awaiting maintenance before being returned to their lessor.