HO CHI MINH CITY: Vietnam Airlines will temporarily suspend flights on some domestic routes as jet fuel shortages and rising fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East start to impact the nation’s air travel.
The national carrier will cut around 23 flights a week from April 1, over tightened supplies of jet fuel, according the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
VietJet Aviation JSC is also reducing flights on some routes, according to schedules on its booking website.
Bamboo Airways will strive to maintain flights during peak travel periods, though frequencies may be lower than last year if oil prices stay high, the airline said.
It also called on the government to offer more support to airlines, including further reductions in environmental protection tax and aviation fuel taxes.
Vietnam has moved to shore up energy security after the Iran war all but halted oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to fuel price hikes and long queues at petrol stations.
The nation has two domestic refineries that provide around 70% of its domestic needs, however more than 80% of the crude oil it imports comes from Middle East. — Bloomberg
