Behind the scenes: Vietjet sends rescue teams to Myanmar
By Airline Ratings Tue Apr 1, 2025
In the early hours of March 30, Vietjet’s operations team worked tirelessly at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, ensuring two special relief flights—VJ2875 and VJ2877—were ready for departure. These flights, an Airbus A330 and an A321, carried critical rescue teams and aid to Myanmar, where a devastating earthquake had left thousands in urgent need of assistance.
A Race Against Time
As news of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake broke, Vietjet’s crisis response team immediately sprang into action. Coordinating closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense, the airline fast-tracked flight permits, assembled experienced flight crews, and expedited technical preparations. Every minute counted, and the pressure was on to ensure a seamless operation.
Behind the scenes, engineers conducted rapid yet thorough safety checks, ground staff loaded over 60 tons of medical equipment and food supplies, and logistics teams navigated complex diplomatic clearances to secure smooth passage into Myanmar. Vietjet’s flight crews, handpicked for their expertise in high-stakes missions, prepared for the challenging journey ahead.
Boarding for a Mission Like No Other
Unlike a typical commercial flight, the atmosphere at the departure gate was one of solemn determination. The 106 rescue personnel—police, military officers, and search-and-rescue specialists—boarded the aircraft alongside trained rescue dogs. Many of them had been part of similar missions before, yet each disaster carried its own weight. The responsibility was immense: lives depended on their swift arrival.
As the aircraft taxied down the runway, Vietjet CEO Dinh Viet Phuong reflected on the airline’s role in times of crisis. “Vietjet is always ready for special missions,” he affirmed. “This operation came together in record time because our team understands what’s at stake. The people of Myanmar need immediate support, and we are honored to be part of this humanitarian effort.”
Arrival in Myanmar: A Rapid Response
Upon touchdown at Yangon Airport, there was no time to waste. The rescue teams, working alongside Vietjet’s ground crew, swiftly unloaded supplies and coordinated their transport to disaster-stricken areas. Every box of medical aid, every food package, every piece of equipment carried the hope of survival for those affected.
As the rescue personnel moved out into the field—clearing debris, providing medical care, and searching for survivors—Vietjet’s mission was complete. But their commitment to humanitarian aid remains ongoing.
An Airline with a Heart
This was not the first time Vietjet had mobilized for disaster relief, nor would it be the last. From delivering aid after Indonesia’s 2018 earthquake and tsunami to supporting pandemic response efforts, the airline has consistently prioritized community support.
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