Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air fined for flight delays
National carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and budget airline Vietjet Air have been delivered what is effectively a slap on the wrist by aviation authorities for failing to inform passengers of lengthy flight delays, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) fining them VND15 million, or about US$750, each.
Vietnam Airlines’s flight VN1370 from HCM City to Hue on March 10 was due to depart at 6:10am from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport but was delayed until 14:25 due to bad weather.
Passengers were not properly informed of the delay. VietJet Air’s flight VJ321 from Phu Quoc to HCM City on March 9 was also delayed for technical checks. Again, passengers were not informed, and were left stranded for more than 10 hours.
Passengers were not properly informed of the delay. VietJet Air’s flight VJ321 from Phu Quoc to HCM City on March 9 was also delayed for technical checks. Again, passengers were not informed, and were left stranded for more than 10 hours.
Officials from the CAAV said even though VietJet Air strictly comply with the flight safety regulations and provided compensation of VND300,000 to each passenger, it failed to meet its responsibility to inform passengers of the delay so they could make other arrangements.
A circular on aviation compensations for passengers due to long delays will take effect from July 1. As a result, airlines’ compensation for delays of more than four hours will rise to VND400,000, depending their flight distances.