Over 74,400 flights delayed or canceled in Vietnam in January-September

During the nine-month period, domestic carriers operated 210,341 flights, of which 135,922 departed on time. The sector recorded 1,380 cancelations.

Among airlines, Bamboo Airways and VASCO achieved the highest on-time performance, at 82.1 percent and 81.8 percent respectively. 

Pacific Airlines followed with 78.5 percent, while Vietravel Airlines recorded 70.6 percent. 

These four, however, account for a relatively small share of total domestic flights.

In contrast, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air — the country's two largest carriers — posted on-time rates of just 70 percent and 55 percent. 

That means nearly one in three Vietnam Airlines flights and nearly one in two Vietjet Air flights were delayed or canceled.

The CAAV attributed many disruptions to extreme weather conditions in recent months. 

Heavy rain and strong winds in the north and north-central regions in late September and early October forced multiple flight diversions and delays. 

On September 30 alone, 194 flights at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport were delayed and 34 rerouted.

Under current rules, domestic passengers are entitled to compensation of VND200,000–400,000 (US$7.6–15.2) for delays or cancelations, while international passengers may receive $25–150, payable within 14 working days. 

In practice, however, most passengers report receiving neither compensation nor any apology.

An airline representative told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that no carrier wants delays which increase costs and harm service quality. 

"It's like road traffic," the representative said. 

"People accept that buses get stuck in jams, but when a plane is late by 30 minutes, they get angry." 

Weather, technical issues, and air traffic control were cited as frequent causes.

Passengers, however, said airline policies protect carriers more than customers. 

Nguyen My Thanh from Ho Chi Minh City recalled her flight to Da Nang City in central Vietnam being delayed for nearly six hours. 

"The delay was frustrating, but what made it worse was the lack of respect and transparency. Announcements came at the last minute, and families with children suffered most," she said.

Others shared similar stories of multiple last-minute delay notifications or being stuck in the cabin for up to half an hour before take-off.

"When a flight is delayed, you feel the exhaustion of waiting in crowded rooms, just hoping the time won't change again," said Loan, a frequent business traveler.

At a recent discussion on amendments to the Vietnam Civil Aviation Law, lawmakers criticized vague justifications such as 'operational issues' and called for clearer, mandatory compensation rules.

Deputy Pham Van Hoa of Dong Thap Province said the situation "affects nearly everyone who flies" and demanded specific compensation requirements. 

Deputy Nguyen Thi Thuy, deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee for Legal and Judicial Affairs, noted that few passengers receive meals, accommodation, or other support when flights are postponed or scrapped.

Deputy Tran Cong Phan from Ho Chi Minh City added that airlines must be held accountable.

"Delays of one or two hours, or even half a day, cannot end with just an apology," he said.

"Carriers must be committed to taking real responsibility."