Vietnam’s flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced that it will be suspending its Hanoi-Moscow service from March 25, 2022.  

According to Vietnamese press reports, the airline said the decision had been made because of the need to revise procedures, requirements and regulations relating to flight operations and insurance.  

Vietnam Airlines also said it will refund passengers who have already purchased tickets. According to a press release seen by Vietnam Express, the airline is working to resume the service as soon as possible.  

Several other airlines, including Kazakhstan’s Air Astana, have recently suspended flights to Russia due to sanctions imposed on the country and issues with insurance.  

Civil aviation in Russia has been crippled by sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. Russian airlines stopped almost all international flights, while the number of foreign airlines that still fly to the country has shrunk to 35, according to Russia’s Ministry of Transport.