The information was given by Vietnam Airlines General Director Duong Tri Thanh at a meeting between Hanoi authorities and local enterprises on their operations amid the pandemic.

  An airplane of Vietnam Airlines

Thanh said that now Vietnam Airlines mainly focuses on how it can recover after Covid-19. So, the plan to buy 50 new airplanes is among the measures.

According to Thanh, since the start of the social distancing, only 2-5% of the carrier’s flight capacity has been utilised. For international routes, Vietnam Airlines’ flights mostly repatriated Vietnamese citizens and transported medical equipment. Around 3,000 flight attendants and 1,000 pilots have been affected by the pandemic.

With the current fleet of around 100 airplanes, Vietnam Airlines can cover losses caused by Covid-19 if operations remain good for the next five years.

It would have previously taken Vietnam Airlines 3-4 years to be handed over with airplanes, but now, it would be much quicker as many airlines have cancelled their orders due to their financial difficulties due to Covid-19.

By March 20, Vietnam Airlines’ total short-term loans were estimated at VND3.568 trillion (USD155 million). The carrier would need an additional VND15 trillion (USD652 million) this year.

However, with this financial situation, it would be hard for Vietnam Airlines to get additional loans. Therefore, Vietnam Airlines needs the government’s financial support from late this month. Dan Viet/Dtinews

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