Vietnam Airlines Operates Special Flight for Humanitarian Aid to Venezuela ~Transporting 124 Search and Rescue/Humanitarian Personnel and 25 Tons of Supplies/Equipment~

Vietnam Airlines (Japan Branch: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, General Manager: Go S. Anh) operated a special flight to transport search and rescue and humanitarian aid units and supplies from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security to support relief efforts for the large-scale earthquake that occurred in Venezuela.

This special flight transported 124 aid personnel, 10 search and rescue dogs, and 25 tons of equipment and supplies necessary for search and rescue and humanitarian aid activities.

The flight, VN66, departed from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport at 0:45 AM on June 29, 2026, operated by a state-of-the-art wide-body aircraft, the Airbus A350. After performing technical tasks at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, it proceeded to Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, arriving at 11:57 AM on the same day (local time).

To ensure the smooth execution of this emergency mission, Vietnam Airlines organized an operations team of 23 members in addition to its ground support system. The team comprised 6 pilots, 10 cabin crew members, 3 maintenance technicians, 1 operations control specialist, and 3 ground operations staff. Necessary logistics were established in a short period, and required procedures, such as obtaining flight permits from various authorities, were promptly completed.

Please note that due to the operation of this special flight, flight schedule changes and changes in operating aircraft may occur on some routes over the next few days. Vietnam Airlines will promptly provide the latest flight information to minimize the impact on customers, offer necessary support, and respond appropriately in accordance with relevant regulations.

As Vietnam's national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines maintains a system capable of dynamically deploying necessary resources for special missions requested by the government.

Vietnam Airlines has a history of actively participating in emergency support activities both domestically and internationally. In recent years, during the large-scale earthquake in Myanmar in 2025, it transported relief supplies and supported the return of Vietnamese aid personnel who had completed search and rescue operations on site. Additionally, in 2022, it supported the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens from Ukraine, and in 2011 and 2014, it assisted in the repatriation of Vietnamese workers from Libya. Furthermore, following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, it engaged in support activities for the Vietnamese community residing in Japan.

The operation of such special flights symbolizes Vietnam Airlines' robust operational capabilities and its commitment as an airline contributing to society. Moving forward, Vietnam Airlines will continue to actively promote various support and social contribution activities, acting as an airline that connects people and regions, while staying close to its customers and society.

<About Vietnam Airlines>

Vietnam Airlines (a SkyTeam Alliance member) was established in 1993 as the state-owned airline of Vietnam.

Currently, it operates a total of 113 routes connecting 22 domestic cities and 39 international cities, utilizing state-of-the-art aircraft such as the Boeing 787-9, Boeing 787-10, Airbus A350-900 XWB, Airbus A320, and Airbus A321neo. For Japan routes, it operates flights from five airports in Japan – Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka – to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Additionally, it flies to Da Nang from Tokyo Narita and Osaka. This provides the largest transport capacity between Japan and Vietnam.

Recognized for its introduction of the latest aircraft and innovative digitalization efforts, Vietnam Airlines has received a 4-star rating from aviation industry rating agency Skytrax, was selected among the Top 20 Airlines in the World for 2024 by AirlineRatings.com, and was certified as a "5-Star Airline" for 2025 by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association).

Vietnam Airlines is also actively engaged in sustainable development solutions, aiming not only to foster innovation but also to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in cooperation with airlines worldwide.

In 2024, Vietnam Airlines celebrated its 30th anniversary of operating routes to Japan and aims to establish its position as a leading 5-star airline in Asia by providing high-quality services that incorporate Vietnam's unique cultural identity.

- Official Website: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/jp/ja/home

- MeetsVietnam: https://meetsvietnam.vietnamairlines.com/