The award recognizes Vietnam Airlines’ initiative to replace selected single-use onboard products, tools, and equipment with reusable and recyclable alternatives. This approach delivers meaningful reductions in plastic waste while improving operational efficiency and strengthening the sustainability of the airline’s service supply chain. SkyTeam’s recognition underscores both the tangible impact of the initiative and its viability for scalable implementation across everyday airline operations.

As part of TAC 2025, Vietnam Airlines participated with two showcase flights: domestic flight VN248 (Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi) and international flight VN037 (Hanoi – Frankfurt), implementing a comprehensive set of sustainability measures throughout the journeys.

On the domestic “Light Flight to Hanoi,” weight optimization, digitalized procedures, and reduced onboard consumables helped save approximately 0.77 tonnes of fuel, equivalent to a reduction of 2.43 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Nearly 80 percent of passengers checked in online, further reducing paper use and cutting an additional 2–3 kilograms of CO₂ per flight.

On the long-haul Hanoi–Frankfurt route, the use of ultra-light unit load devices, dry engine washing, and optimized flight planning reduced fuel consumption by approximately 1.1 tonnes, preventing around 3.5 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. These results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of fuel-saving solutions on long-haul operations.

Beyond technical measures, Vietnam Airlines emphasizes the role of people as a central element of its sustainability journey. Finalist and award-winning entries in categories such as Most Compelling Story and Best Showcase Flight reflected the airline’s authentic approach to sustainability storytelling, grounded in data and real-life experiences of pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and passengers.

Dang Anh Tuan, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, said: “The recognition at The Aviation Challenge 2025 is a great source of pride for all Vietnam Airlines employees. It reflects our sustained commitment to translating sustainability initiatives into practical operations, while consistently maintaining the highest standards of safety, service quality, and operational efficiency.”

In addition to its initiatives under The Aviation Challenge, Vietnam Airlines continues to proactively advance sustainability solutions in line with its ESG strategy. The airline has begun operating selected flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), while accelerating operational optimization, aircraft weight reduction, process digitalization, and fuel-efficiency improvements across its network.

At the same time, Vietnam Airlines promotes community engagement linked to environmental conservation, including contributions to forest planting and restoration through the “Joining Hands to Restore the Forest” program. The airline also encourages responsible consumption, raises environmental awareness among passengers, and places strong emphasis on training and capacity building for its operational teams.

Through these efforts, Vietnam Airlines is steadily progressing toward its sustainable development goals, aligned with its ESG strategy and roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2050, while continuing to enhance service quality in pursuit of its vision to become a responsible, five-star airline committed to the community and the environment.