VietJet Air, a Vietnamese low-cost carrier, has canceled a large number of Korea-Vietnam flights due to soaring oil prices driven by the U.S.-Iran war. Flights departing in less than a week have been abruptly scrapped, throwing travelers into chaos.
Flights Canceled Across March and April, Travelers Left Scrambling
VietJet Air's Korean general sales agent announced on its website on the 23rd that it would cancel select April flights on the Incheon-Vietnam (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc) and Busan-Nha Trang routes. The Incheon-Phu Quoc route will be completely suspended from April 8 through May 1.
Flight VJ836 from Nha Trang to Incheon and flight VJ974 from Phu Quoc to Incheon, both departing March 28, have already been canceled, leaving Korea-Vietnam routes riddled with cancellations throughout March and April.
"The prolonged war has kept oil prices soaring, creating unbearable additional cost burdens, and the supply of jet fuel within Vietnam has also become unstable," VietJet said. "We sincerely apologize for having no choice but to cancel these flights."
The problem extends beyond VietJet. Vietnam Airlines has also suspended some April-May flights on the Incheon-Hanoi and Incheon-Ho Chi Minh City routes, and Air Busan has decided to reduce Busan-departing flights to Guam, Cebu and Da Nang starting next month.
On the 23rd alone, 127 inquiries about tickets flooded VietJet's website. While canceled flights are eligible for full refunds without fees from the airline, travelers are left bearing the costs of accommodation, local activities and rental car cancellation penalties, which often carry hefty charges. Those seeking alternative flights face surging fuel surcharges that have driven up fares at other airlines, with seats in short supply.
VietJet's after-the-fact response has also drawn criticism. Customers who purchased tickets through travel agencies or overseas booking platforms have been told that "the Korean general sales agency does not have processing authority" and to "contact their respective point of purchase."
Travelers wishing to contact VietJet's Vietnamese headquarters directly must send an email in English, with responses taking up to seven business days. Critics say this effectively tells customers with imminent departures to give up.
Jet Fuel Surges 90%, Fuel Surcharges Triple in One Month
The direct cause of the crisis is the sharp rise in jet fuel prices. Singapore-sourced jet fuel (MOPS), widely used by Vietnamese carriers, traded at an average of $179.5 per barrel during the second week of March — two weeks into the Middle East crisis — then surpassed $200 in the third week, climbing to $227 per barrel as of the 20th. That represents a surge of more than 90% from pre-crisis levels.
Compounded by a high exchange rate, the international flight fuel surcharge jumped 12 tiers in April, from tier 6 this month to tier 18. It marks the largest single-month increase since the current surcharge system was introduced in 2016. Based on Korean Air rates, the one-way fuel surcharge on the Incheon-New York route leapt from 99,000 won in March to 303,000 won in April — more than a threefold increase. Jeju Air's April one-way fuel surcharges also rose from $9-$22 this month to $29-$68, up more than threefold at the high end.
Vietnam depends on imports for more than two-thirds of its jet fuel demand, with roughly 60% sourced from China and Thailand. However, both countries have completely halted petroleum product exports from their domestic refineries, dealing a direct blow to supply.
Airlines typically pass rising oil prices through to ticket prices in real time, but VietJet applies fixed pricing, meaning it absorbs the full burden as fuel costs climb. As losses snowballed, the airline ultimately played the cancellation card.
Police Issue Emergency Phishing Alert Amid Flight Cancellation Chaos
Phishing criminals are also capitalizing on travelers' anxiety. The National Police Agency's Integrated Response Unit for Telecommunications Financial Fraud confirmed on the 23rd that phishing attempts exploiting the Middle East crisis have been detected, issuing an "emergency phishing alert."
The most common scheme involves investment fraud dangling "war beneficiary stocks." Victims are lured by text messages promising high returns, then guided into messenger-based stock tip chat rooms where they are signed up on fake exchanges and their investment funds are siphoned off.
Smishing disguised as flight cancellation notices has also been detected. Text messages claiming "your flight has been canceled due to the Middle East situation" include links directing victims to fake websites that steal personal information. Other schemes include romance scams impersonating doctors or soldiers in the Middle East to demand money, and fake refugee aid websites designed to extract personal information and funds.
The Integrated Response Unit stressed that phishing schemes posing as government policies — such as small business loans or fuel cost refunds — may also emerge. The unit added that while no actual damage has been confirmed so far, it is taking preemptive measures including swiftly blocking related phone numbers and URLs.
Shin Hyo-seop, head of the Integrated Response Unit, said, "Fraudsters are exploiting citizens' anxiety and even their goodwill toward helping neighbors in need as tools for crime." He urged, "If you suspect phishing or have suffered damages, please report immediately to the Integrated Response Unit at 1394 (no area code) or 112 for consultation and follow-up guidance."