Vietnam Airlines has announced that it would temporarily suspend the Hanoi-Moscow air route from March 25
In their statement, Vietnam Airlines said it needs to review and clarify procedures, requirements and regulations related to insurance and flight operations to Russia. The airline expressed deep regret about this force majeure.
The airline also announced that they would offer free ticket refunds or change tickets to other flights for passengers who have bought tickets. They recommended that passengers regularly monitor and update information in next announcements.
Speaking with Dantri/Dtinews about the route, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), Dinh Viet Thang, said that Vietnam Airlines is currently the only airline operating a regular route to Russia.
"This air route to Russia has been adjusted to avoid flying over Ukraine airspace since Malaysia's MH17 was shot down in eastern Ukraine in 2014," Thang said.
Vietnam Airlines has just resumed the regular route between Hanoi and Moscow since early this year after nearly two years of closure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CAAV has recently sent documents to local airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Pacific Airlines on the limitation and closure of some airports in Russia and Ukraine since the war broke out.