Airlines Cut Flights, This Airline Adds 3,800 Schedules

Several global airlines are beginning to cut flight schedules and raise passenger fares amid the surge in aircraft fuel prices due to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. However, amid aviation industry pressures, Vietnam’s Vietjet is taking an aggressive step by adding thousands of flight schedules.

Air India, Air New Zealand, and Delta Air Lines are reportedly starting to reduce flight frequencies while increasing travel costs to curb the spike in operational expenses. This situation responds to the global rise in avtur (aviation turbine fuel) prices, which account for around 20 to 40 percent of total operations.

Citing the BBC, European jet fuel prices once reached a record high of US$1,838, or approximately Rp31.42 million (estimated exchange rate of Rp17,100) per tonne. This represents a surge of about 121 percent from pre-conflict levels, when it was priced at US$831.

In contrast, Vietjet is expanding capacity during Vietnam’s extended holiday period. According to a written statement, the airline will operate nearly 3,800 domestic flights from 25 April to 5 May 2026.

This number equates to 500 additional flights or a 16 percent increase compared to the same period last year. During this peak period, Vietjet will provide up to 832,000 seats, an increase of 130,000 seats or 18 percent year-on-year (yoy).

This expansion aims to anticipate the surge in demand during Vietnam’s major holiday season, including the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, Reunification Day, and International Labour Day. This period is known as one of the peaks in public mobility following the Lunar New Year (Tet).

The addition of flight frequencies covers several major domestic routes from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue, Quy Nhon, to Phu Quoc. Additionally, Vietjet continues to expand its international network through new routes such as Nha Trang–Singapore and Hanoi–Shizuoka in Japan to strengthen regional connectivity.

Vietnam also has routes to various destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, Vietjet operates flights from Jakarta and Bali to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Starting 1 June 2026, the company will open a new Jakarta–Da Nang route with a frequency of five round trips per week.