HANOI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to temporarily suspend operations on several lower-demand domestic routes starting from April 1, local daily Tuoi Tre reported Tuesday.
The move aims to reallocate resources to national connectivity routes, trunk air routes and key transport corridors serving travel, trade and tourism.
The plan follows a warning from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam that aviation fuel supply is facing a possible shortage, forcing airlines to review their operational plans and prioritize essential routes.
Vietnam Airlines plans to cut a total of 23 flights per week, including routes linking the northern port city of Hai Phong with central and southern destinations, as well as services from the southern hub Ho Chi Minh City to northern provinces.
Other domestic carriers are also drawing up contingency plans to cope with fuel supply fluctuations, including imposing fuel surcharges on international routes starting in early April, according to the report. ■
