Vietnam Faces Possible Flight Cuts After Jet Fuel Export Ban by China and Thailand

Post by : Saif

Vietnam’s aviation industry is preparing for possible flight reductions starting in April after major jet fuel suppliers China and Thailand stopped exporting aviation fuel. The sudden halt has raised concerns about fuel shortages that could affect both domestic and international flights in the coming weeks.

Officials in Vietnam say the country depends heavily on imported aviation fuel. In fact, a large portion of its supply usually comes from China and Thailand. When these countries stopped exporting jet fuel, the Vietnamese aviation sector quickly felt the impact. Authorities have warned airlines to prepare for disruptions if the situation does not improve soon.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has advised airlines to review their flight schedules and make adjustments where necessary. Airlines have been asked to reduce less important routes and focus on maintaining essential domestic flights. Airports have also been told to prepare for the possibility of aircraft being grounded if fuel supplies become limited.

The crisis is linked to wider global tensions and disruptions in the energy market. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created uncertainty in global oil supply and pushed many countries to protect their own fuel reserves. As a result, China and Thailand decided to halt certain fuel exports, including jet fuel, to make sure their domestic markets remain stable.

For Vietnam, this decision is especially serious because the country imports most of the aviation fuel used by its airlines. Reports suggest that around 60–70 percent of Vietnam’s jet fuel supply normally comes from China and Thailand. With those sources now restricted, suppliers have warned that existing contracts may only cover demand until the end of March.

Two major Vietnamese fuel suppliers, Petrolimex Aviation and Skypec, have already warned about the limited supply. They said current fuel reserves may only meet demand for a short period. If new supply deals are not secured quickly, airlines may have to cancel or reduce some flights to conserve fuel.

Another major concern is the sharp rise in fuel prices. Aviation fuel prices have increased significantly in recent weeks because of global supply disruptions. For airlines, fuel is one of the biggest costs of operating flights. In many cases, it can account for around 35 to 40 percent of total operating expenses. Higher fuel prices could therefore increase airline costs and affect ticket prices for travelers.

Airlines in Vietnam are now reviewing their route networks to reduce fuel use. Some carriers may cut the number of flights on certain routes or use smaller aircraft to save fuel. These steps are aimed at maintaining essential services while managing limited fuel supplies.

At the same time, the Vietnamese government is working to find alternative fuel suppliers. Officials are exploring options to import aviation fuel from other countries such as South Korea, Japan, India, and Brunei. However, securing new supply contracts may take time, and transportation logistics could also add to the cost.

Diplomatic efforts are also underway. Vietnamese leaders have started discussions with officials in China and Thailand to try to ease the restrictions or secure special supply arrangements. The government hopes that cooperation between countries can help stabilize fuel supplies and prevent major disruptions to air travel.

Meanwhile, aviation authorities are considering temporary financial support measures to help airlines manage the crisis. These could include reducing certain taxes on aviation fuel or allowing airlines to apply temporary fuel surcharges on ticket prices. Such steps may help airlines cope with rising costs during the supply disruption.

The situation highlights how closely global aviation is connected to energy markets and international politics. When conflicts or supply restrictions occur, airlines and passengers around the world can feel the effects quickly. For Vietnam, which has seen strong growth in tourism and air travel in recent years, maintaining stable flight operations is especially important for the economy.

If fuel supplies remain tight, passengers may see fewer flights, higher ticket prices, or schedule changes in the coming months. However, officials remain hopeful that new fuel supply agreements and diplomatic efforts will reduce the risk of major disruptions.

For now, airlines and authorities in Vietnam are preparing for a difficult period while they search for solutions to keep the country’s aviation sector moving.

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