In the context of worrying developments in the South Asian security situation, especially the outbreak of military conflict between the two powers India and Pakistan on May 7, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has quickly demonstrated its initiative and high responsibility in protecting the safety of civil aviation activities.
Immediately, the aviation authority issued an urgent dispatch to all Vietnamese airlines, requesting a series of response measures to minimize potential risks that could affect flights to, from, or through the airspace of these two countries.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has asked airlines to review their operating plans to choose alternative routes (if necessary) to avoid affecting military clashes between India and Pakistan.
Accordingly, CAAV emphasized the need for Vietnamese airlines to establish a mechanism to closely and continuously monitor the armed conflict situation between India and Pakistan. Updating information accurately and promptly will be an important basis for airlines to proactively assess the possible impacts on current and future flight routes.
One of the key requirements put forward by CAAV is that airlines must urgently review all current operational plans, including approved and deployed flight routes. The objective of this review is to identify and select safe and efficient alternative flight routes, ensuring that Vietnamese aircraft will completely avoid areas at risk of being affected by conflict, including airspace, alerted air routes and airports located in or near conflict areas.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam recommends that airlines regularly monitor developments of armed conflicts between the two countries to proactively assess the impact on flight routes.
Not only stopping at adjusting flight routes, CAAV also gives special attention to airlines in choosing alternate airports for international flights. This agency requires airlines to absolutely not choose airports that have been announced to be closed for security reasons or airports that are too close to areas where fighting is taking place, to ensure there is always a safe landing plan in all situations.
In addition to flight safety measures, CAAV also requires Vietnamese airlines to pay attention to communication with passengers. In case flight plans are forced to change due to military conflicts, airlines must be responsible for promptly, fully and transparently informing passengers about these adjustments, including the reason for the change, new flight times (if any) and other relevant information, to ensure the rights and peace of mind of passengers.
Vietnamese airlines review current operating plans and air routes to select alternative air routes.
Immediately after receiving information about the tense situation and the temporary airspace closure order from the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan on the afternoon of May 7 (Vietnam time), Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier of Vietnam, quickly deployed response measures.
Specifically, the airline has proactively adjusted the routes and operation plans of 9 flights between Vietnam and European countries (France, Germany, UK) to avoid flying over Pakistan's airspace, ensuring absolute safety for passengers and crew. Vietnam Airlines also announced that in the coming time, flights on these routes may continue to be adjusted depending on the actual developments of the regional situation and the airline will continuously update information to passengers.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam recommends that airlines not choose as backup airports airports that have been announced to be closed.
Not only Vietnam Airlines, the tension between India and Pakistan has also caused significant impacts on the operations of many other airlines in the Asia region and around the world. Many airlines have had to take similar measures such as changing the direction or even canceling flights that pass through Pakistani airspace for safety reasons.
Singapore Airlines, for example, has decided to stop flying over Pakistani airspace since May 6. Taiwanese airline EVA Air has also proactively diverted flights to and from Vienna. Thai Airways has also announced the rerouting of flights to destinations in Europe and South Asia to avoid the danger zone.
Faced with these complicated developments, the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has also expressed deep concern about the negative impacts that the military conflict between India and Pakistan could cause on aviation activities in the region.
In the dispatch, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam also requested airlines to promptly report to the Authority if they encounter any difficulties or problems in the process of implementing response measures so that the Authority can review and resolve them quickly and effectively.
