Skip to content What happened in 2008
Fuel costs were rising fast in 2008, and from 15 August the main domestic airlines began adding a surcharge of $3 to $11, depending on distance, to help cover losses. Vietnam Airlines was reported to have lost $5 million in the first half of the year despite revenue up 28%, and the government moved to abolish import tax on aviation fuel. Jetstar Pacific cut its Nha Trang flights from 5 September, blaming fuel costs, and planned new routes to Bangkok, Siem Reap and Singapore. Its operating plan had assumed oil at $70 a barrel.
How things stand in 2026
Jetstar Pacific is now Pacific Airlines. In March 2026 a jet-fuel shortage hit Asian airlines, and from 1 April Vietnam’s aviation authority allowed domestic fuel surcharges for the first time, set for April to June 2026. Vietnam Airlines suspended seven domestic routes and Vietjet cut domestic flights by about 20 per cent that month (The Viet Media, 1 April 2026). Our domestic flights guide has the current picture of airlines, routes and terminals.