Operations of Vietnamese aircraft grind to a halt due to COVID-19
VOV.VN - During the first quarter of the year the nation had a total of 39 planes which underwent maintenance, while their flight operations were suspended due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to data released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
Of the local airlines, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines were forced to halt 18 aircraft, VietJet Air halted 14 planes, with Bamboo Airways and Pacific Airlines stopping three and four aircraft, respectively.
The grounded jets are among 269 airplanes registered as Vietnamese currently, a rise of 13 from the same period from last year. These comprise 247 flat-winged jets of Boeing, Airbus, ATR and Embraer as well as 22 helicopters.
In an effort to minimise the risks caused by flight-stopping preservation, Dinh Viet Thang, director of the CAAV, has request that domestic airlines rotate operating aircraft as a means of ensuring that the maintenance of flight stops is no longer than one month.
In the event that an aircraft is serviced for over one month due to malfunction, breakdown, or insufficient configuration, the airline must then report this to the CAAV before getting their approval, with the exception of aircraft currently in their maintenance period.
Furthermore, Thang also urged all airlines to consistently perform regular maintenance, along with monitoring, updating, and thoroughly complying with regulations and instructions set out by manufacturers with regard to flight-stopping maintenance. In addition, the CAVV director went on to underline the need to intensify inspection and conservation methods as part of the maintenance and flight stoppage process, along with immediately dealing with abnormal phenomena as swiftly as possible.
This comes following a large number of flight stopping aircraft, aircraft manufacturers, and engine builders issuing technical instructions and alternate procedures in a bid to help aircraft operators as they conduct engine protection as set out in aircraft maintenance manuals.