HÀ NỘI — Vietnam Airlines recorded consolidated revenue of nearly VNĐ114.5 trillion (US$4.4 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, up 28 per cent year-on-year, while maintaining stable operations and meeting its business targets amid continued challenges in the aviation market.

Despite global economic volatility and high fuel prices, the national flag carrier maintained stable operations by leveraging its existing resources and adopting flexible response plans.

During the nine-month period, the airline operated more than 122,000 flights, totalling approximately 300,000 flight hours, and carried over 20 million passengers, up 4.3 per cent from the same period last year. Its cargo and mail volume reached 274,000 tonnes, an increase of 9 per cent.

Consolidated after-tax profit stood at VNĐ4.2 trillion. In the third quarter alone, consolidated revenue reached VNĐ39.2 trillion, while after-tax profit was VNĐ319 billion.

For 2026, Vietnam Airlines has set a revenue target of VNĐ138.9 trillion, up more than 12 per cent from the previous year. Its nine-month performance represented approximately 82 per cent of the full-year target.

Higher fuel prices put additional pressure on operating costs in the third quarter, but continued growth in passenger and cargo volumes helped support business performance and provided a foundation for the airline's operations and business plans in the final quarter.

Vietnam Airlines has continued expanding its international network, launching routes connecting Hà Nội with Amsterdam and HCM City with Phuket and Colombo.

In the fourth quarter, the airline announced plans to open additional routes from Hà Nội to Ahmedabad and Hangzhou, as well as from Đà Nẵng to Singapore. The expansion is expected to strengthen Việt Nam's international connectivity, meet growing travel demand and create room for long-term growth.

Beyond its commercial operations, Vietnam Airlines also operated two special flights carrying Vietnamese rescue and relief teams and humanitarian supplies to Venezuela, fulfilling its assigned mission and demonstrating the national carrier's role in the country's diplomatic and humanitarian activities.

Strengthening its brand

Vietnam Airlines continued to earn recognition in domestic and international rankings and awards during the first nine months of 2026.

The airline secured a place in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 for the third consecutive year. Brand Finance ranked it among Việt Nam's 10 strongest brands in 2026 and the world's 50 most valuable airline brands. It also retained its status as a Vietnam National Brand.

The carrier received the third-class Labour Order and a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister. At the Flyer’s Choice Awards 2026, it won two awards recognising its aircraft livery design and ranking it among the two most popular airlines in central and Southeast Asia.

These accolades reflect the airline's efforts to improve service quality, management capacity and brand value.

Vietnam Airlines is continuing to carry out its comprehensive sustainable development plan for 2021-2035, focusing on improving business efficiency and restructuring its assets and financial investment portfolio to increase income and cash flow.

Through 2030, the airline plans to channel resources into fleet development, technical infrastructure at Long Thành International Airport, digital transformation and improvements to its management capabilities.

It is also pursuing an ESG-based sustainable development roadmap, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, optimising fuel consumption and researching the application of sustainable aviation fuel.

These initiatives are aimed at strengthening Vietnam Airlines' operational capacity, improving its service quality and enhancing itscompetitiveness, as the airline works towards becoming a five-star international carrier by 2030. — VNS