Vietnam Flights Face April Cuts as Fuel Shock Reaches Asia

Vietnam has warned its aviation sector that flights may need to be reduced from early April 2026 because jet fuel supplies are under pressure.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam told airlines to review their schedules, especially on domestic routes, and asked airports to prepare extra parking space for aircraft if some planes cannot operate as planned.

Vietnam has a large domestic aviation market that supports tourism, business travel, and regional connections. If fuel shortages worsen, airlines may need to cut frequencies, suspend some services, or focus only on the most important routes.

Vietnam is vulnerable because it depends heavily on imported jet fuel

The main problem is Vietnam’s reliance on imported fuel. The country imports more than two-thirds of its jet fuel, and about 60 percent of those imports usually come from China and Thailand. That has left Vietnam exposed after both countries restricted exports of refined fuel products, including aviation fuel.

Vietnam cannot easily replace that supply at home. Domestic refineries are already under pressure to produce other petroleum products, which limits how quickly local jet fuel output can increase.

The fuel squeeze is part of a wider regional energy shock

The shortage risk is linked to the wider energy disruption caused by the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran. China halted March refined fuel exports, while Thailand also restricted exports of refined petroleum products.

At the same time, airlines across the market are facing sharply higher fuel costs. Jet fuel prices in Asia have risen by around 80 percent. That means Vietnam’s airlines are dealing with two problems at once: rising fuel prices and the risk that enough physical supply may not be available.

Vietnam is seeking help, but the risk remains

Vietnam is trying to ease the pressure through diplomacy and new supply options.

Vietnamese leaders raised the issue with both China and Thailand, while authorities also began looking at other possible fuel sources across Asia. For now, Vietnam is trying to avoid flight cuts, but airlines are still being told to prepare for possible disruption in April.

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