Vietnam Airlines will suspend nearly two dozen domestic flights per week from 1 April due to limited jet fuel supplies, the nation’s civil aviation authority has announced.
The authority said the shortage stems from soaring fuel prices following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted global oil supplies.
“The limited availability of aviation fuel (Jet A-1) has put domestic airlines at risk of shortages,” it stated, prompting the temporary suspension of 23 weekly flights.
Major domestic routes and international services will continue as scheduled.
Authorities added that Vietnamese airlines are exploring fuel surcharges for international flights, likely to take effect in April.
To secure supplies, Vietnam has sought fuel support from Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, and Japan, and on Monday signed a deal with Russia for joint oil and gas production.
The jet fuel crisis is not confined to Vietnam. Myanmar’s national carrier announced last Sunday that it would cancel some domestic flights due to “unavoidable circumstances,” without elaborating.
Meanwhile, United Airlines in the US has reduced flight capacity in anticipation of rising fuel costs as the Gulf conflict continues.
The move highlights how geopolitical tensions are affecting aviation worldwide, forcing airlines to adjust operations and seek alternative fuel sources to maintain service.
