Vietnam jet fuel tax cut to continue through 2021

By Doan Loan December 10, 2020 | 07:30 pm PT

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft is seen on an apron at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen.

Lawmakers have decided to continue the 30-percent cut in environment tax on jet fuel through next year to support the aviation industry.

It will remain at VND2,100 (9.1 U.S. cents) per liter until the end of next year before returning to VND3,000 in 2022, the National Assembly Standing Committee decided on Thursday.

Deputies had originally approved the cut from August until the end of this year.

The government’s loss of revenues is estimated at VND360-400 billion this year, but it expects the tax break to reduce airlines’ costs and help them recover from the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airlines have gone through major difficulties due to travel restrictions and limited international flights.

Vietnam Airlines forecasts a loss of VND14.8 trillion this year, while for budget carrier Vietjet it is likely to be VND3 trillion.

The aviation industry served 29.4 million passengers in the first 11 months, down 41.7 percent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.