Vietnam Airlines has operated a special humanitarian flight to Venezuela, transporting search and rescue teams, equipment, and relief supplies to support recovery efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck the South American nation.
Flight VN66, using an Airbus A350 aircraft, departed Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi at 00:45 local time on June 29, 2026. After a technical stop at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), the flight continued to Simon Bolívar International Airport (CCS) in Caracas, with a scheduled arrival time of 12:10 local time the same day.
What the humanitarian flight carried
The aircraft is transporting 124 personnel from Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Public Security, along with 10 search and rescue dogs and approximately 25 tons of humanitarian supplies, specialized equipment, and rescue gear.
To ensure the mission’s timely deployment, the Vietnamese flag carrier mobilized a dedicated flight crew of 23 members and completed logistical preparations and flight clearance procedures within a short timeframe.
Vietnam Airlines said that the flight demonstrates the carrier’s organizational capacity and commitment to serving both the nation and international missions under extraordinary circumstances.
Possible schedule disruptions
The airline noted that the allocation of aircraft and resources for the mission may affect some regular flight schedules in the coming days, potentially resulting in time adjustments or aircraft substitutions. Vietnam Airlines said it will provide updates and assistance for affected passengers and work to minimize any inconvenience.
A history of humanitarian missions
Vietnam Airlines has previously undertaken a number of evacuation and relief missions. In 2025, the airline transported relief supplies to Myanmar and repatriated Vietnamese rescue personnel after earthquake response operations there. Earlier missions included evacuation flights for Vietnamese citizens from Ukraine in 2022, transportation of Vietnamese workers from Libya in 2011 and 2014, and support for nationals in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami in 2011.