As of March 1, the Iran-Israel conflict has intensified, disrupting civil aviation. Iran’s airspace remains fully closed following airstrikes, leaving many travellers stranded and unable to fly as scheduled.
Emirates operates two daily flights connecting Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) (Photo: Huan Tran).
Vietnam Airlines said it operates routes between Vietnam and European cities including Paris, Frankfurt, London and Copenhagen, and that its services are routed well away from conflict zones.
Vietjet Air said none of its flights pass through Israeli or Iranian airspace, while Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines and Sun Phu Quoc Airways do not currently operate routes to Europe.
However, several international carriers connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Europe via the Middle East have been affected. Emirates, which operates two daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Dubai (EK365 and EK393), has suspended departures since February 28. Aircraft remain at Tan Son Nhat International Airport awaiting new schedules.
Qatar Airways has also delayed flights. Service QR971 to Doha has been disrupted, while flight QR975, after taking off from Tan Son Nhat on the morning of February 28, diverted to Oman for safety reasons.
The airspace over Iran, Iraq, and neighbouring countries was empty of aircraft on the morning of March 1.
Departure boards at Tan Son Nhat have yet to confirm new take-off times for Middle East-bound services operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways, heightening anxiety among passengers transiting through the region en route to Europe.
Tran Minh Huy, 23, a Vietnamese student studying computer science in Paris, said he feared he might not return to France on time. He had booked a ticket from Tan Son Nhat to Charles de Gaulle Airport with a transit stop in Doha.
“I’ve been informed that flights to the Middle East are suspended for the next few days. I don’t yet know whether my March 7 flight will be affected,” he said.
Emirates and Qatar Airways aircraft are grounded at Tan Son Nhat International Airport due to postponed flight schedules on the morning of March 1 (Photo: Huan Tran).
In response, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam on March 1 instructed airlines operating to, from or through affected airspace to closely monitor developments, particularly those involving Iran and other countries that have closed their skies.
The regulator also required carriers to fully comply with legal obligations to passengers, provide updated schedules and clear explanations, and minimise inconvenience during the disruption.
