Vietnam Airlines turns around loss streak, reporting strong recovery

Vietnam Airlines has marked a significant turnaround after enduring four challenging years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The national flag carrier's recent financial report highlights a robust recovery, showcasing remarkable increases in revenue and profitability.

In the latest fiscal year, Vietnam Airlines reported net revenue of VND105.8 trillion (US$4.15 billion), reflecting a 15.6% increase year-on-year. 

The cost of goods sold rose modestly by 4.9%, resulting in a gross profit of over VND13.8 trillion, an impressive 3.6-fold increase year-on-year. This uptick improved the gross profit margin from 4.2% in 2023 to 13.1% in 2024.

Following a period of near inactivity due to the pandemic, Vietnam Airlines has successfully restored its entire domestic flight network and resumed most international routes, even introducing new connections. 

Notably, the airline launched direct flights from Hanoi and HCM City to Munich, as well as services to Phnom Penh and Manila. The airline has also reinstated routes to Chengdu in China and expanded the number of domestic connections.

In 2024, Vietnam Airlines transported 22.7 million passengers, an 8% increase in volume, while cargo transport surged by 40%, totalling approximately 314,700 tonnes. Each aircraft operated an average of 11 hours per day, up 25% from 2023.

Financial activities also saw a boost, with revenues exceeding VND1.26 trillion, a 36% rise year-on-year.

However, financial expenses increased by 26.9% to nearly VND5.6 trillion, primarily due to exchange rate losses and interest payments. The airline faced a net loss of nearly VND1.5 trillion from currency fluctuations.

Despite these challenges, Vietnam Airlines recorded a significant turnaround in operational profit, amounting to over VND2.5 trillion, compared to a loss of nearly VND6 trillion in the same quarter the previous year. 

The airline realised other profits of VND5.2 trillion, largely attributed to debt relief of over VND4.7 trillion, easing financial pressure.

By the end of 2024, Vietnam Airlines achieved a profit before tax of VND7.7 trillion, a substantial improvement from a loss of VND5.36 trillion the previous year, marking the highest profit in the airline's history and more than double the pre-pandemic profits of 2018 and 2019.

The recovery has enabled the national airline to end a four-year streak of losses and meet its goal of achieving a balanced budget for the first time since 2020, as outlined in the 2024 annual shareholder meeting.

In response to the challenges it faced, the airline undertook a comprehensive restructuring initiative, which included negotiating deferred payments, reducing leasing costs and selling older aircraft. 

The Government also provided crucial support, including tax exemptions and a liquidity assistance package of VND12 trillion in 2021.

As of late November 2024, the National Assembly approved additional measures to bolster the airline's recovery, allowing it to issue new shares to existing shareholders, aiming to raise up to VND22 trillion in capital through a phased approach.

Vietnam Airlines has completed its overall restructuring plan for 2021-2025 and is now poised to implement comprehensive strategies to enhance resilience and profitability, focusing on asset restructuring and financial investments to improve cash flow and prepare for future capital increases.

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Vietnam Airlines among world’s top 25 safest: AirlineRatings
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VOV.VN - National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is the only the Vietnamese representative listed among the world’s safest airlines for 2025, compiled AirlineRatings, the world’s leading airline safety and product rating website.

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