Vietnam's fuel crisis disrupts flights but spares Russia routes
Vietnam's aviation sector is facing growing challenges as fuel shortages threaten operations. While some Asian routes have been reduced, flights between Vietnam and Russia remain unaffected. The situation has already pushed airfares up by more than 10%. Fuel reserves in Vietnam are now expected to last just 30 to 45 days. If shortages persist beyond April, airlines may need to add unscheduled refuelling stops or cut more routes. Prices could climb even higher, as fuel costs have already doubled since last year.
Despite these issues, connections between Vietnam and Russia have stayed stable. VietJet Air has trimmed some Asian services but kept all Russian flights running as usual. Russian carriers Red Wings and AZUR air also continue their scheduled routes without any reductions.
Since the 2022 energy crisis, Vietnam Airlines has maintained direct flights to Russia. This contrasts with sharp declines in other international routes from Russia, particularly to Europe, due to sanctions. The fuel crisis has already led to a 10% rise in ticket prices. Without a quick resolution, further disruptions and cost increases seem likely. For now, the Vietnam-Russia air corridor remains one of the few unaffected by broader cutbacks.
