Vietnam Airlines struggles to get flight slots in foreign airports

After a period of absence due to Covid-19, the carrier has lost many flight slots in London, chairman Dang Ngoc Hoa said at a meeting with the Ministry of Transport officials Monday.

India only provides 28 slots at its four big airports for international airlines since it seeks to protect domestic carriers, he said.

Requests for more slots in Chinese airports too have been rejected, he said.

The number of foreign passengers flying on Vietnamese carriers is only 60% of pre-pandemic levels, he said.

Other challenges, such as fuel prices doubling at certain times from 2019 levels, have been slowing down Vietnam Airlines’ recovery efforts, he said.

He sought the ministry’s assistance to get more slots in foreign airports.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang at the meeting ordered aviation authorities to support the carrier.

If required, the ministry would dispatch officials to other countries to negotiate slots, he added.