HCMC – Local airlines have changed their flight routes to skirt Taiwan’s airspace as China is holding live-fire drills around the territory, affecting more than 100 flights.
Vietnam Airlines is set to divert 36 flights from Vietnam to Northeast Asia and the United States, while 82 of Vietjet Air’s flights will use longer routes, the local media reported.
Dinh Viet Thang, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said that after China announced its military training mission around Taiwan that will last from August 4 to 7, the authority quickly worked with the local air carriers to divert flights to ensure flight safety.
Flight schedules from Vietnam to Japan and South Korea will be changed to fly over China’s airspace instead of Taiwan’s, a representative of Vietnam Airlines said, adding that the flights will take an additional 10-15 minutes each due to the change.
Flights between Vietnam and the United States will use the Philippines’ airspace to skirt Taiwan’s airspace, extending their flying time by some 35 minutes.
The airlines have advised passengers who intend to fly to Northeast Asia and the United States to follow their websites for updates about flights.
