AFP, Hanoi

Vietnam’s national air carrier will suspend nearly two dozen domestic flights a week starting next month because of limited fuel supplies caused by the Mideast war, the nation’s aviation authority said.

The price of jet fuel has soared since the start of the conflict more than three weeks ago, which has sent oil prices surging and sparked fears of fuel shortages.

“Vietnam Airlines plans to temporarily suspend operations on several routes from April 1,” totalling 23 flights a week, the country’s civil aviation authority said in a statement late Monday.

“The limited supply of aviation fuel (Jet A-1) due to the conflict in the Middle East has put domestic airlines at risk of fuel shortages,” prompting the flight cuts, the authority said.

Major domestic routes and international flights are being maintained, it said.

Airlines in Vietnam were working on adding fuel surcharges on international routes that may be applied in April, it added.

Vietnam has recently asked for fuel support from several countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria and Japan, and on Monday signed a deal with Russia on oil and gas production in both countries.

The price of 95-octane petrol and diesel in the manufacturing hub has soared by 50 percent and 70 percent, respectively, since the war began in late February.