The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has decided to suspend a number of VietJet Air staff who were involved in changing a flight's destination from Dalat to Cam Ranh.

The incident occurred on June 19, and was widely seen as resulting from a lack of responsibility and communication among VietJet Air staff. The crew did not notice the route change until were informed by the Cam Ranh Air Traffic Control Tower.

VietJet Air flight changed destination

Lai Xuan Thanh, CAAV’s Director, said, “Even though the incident did not cause any serious damages, it did threaten aviation safety.”

As a result, the CAAV decided to suspended captain Pavel Ondrej, deputy commander Amin Hassiri and chief stewardess Phan Thi Huong Trang for one month, beginning from the day they were put on temporary suspension, June 20.

During this period, VietJet Air must also review the case to draw lessons and organise better training for their staff on CAAV regulations.

Two airline staff at Noi Bai International Airport, Phung Thi Huong and Pham Nhu Tung, were also suspended for the same period.

A deputy director in charge of flight command at Noi Bai International Airport on was criticised, while the head and deputy head of the airline procedures unit at the airport were suspended until July 31.

Bui Dieu Huyen, a staff at the Noi Bai Air Traffic Control Tower was suspended until July 10.

Director of VietJet Air’s Flight Commanding Centre Elvis Gilbert was suspended until August 1.

Reports on the responsibilities and retraining plans for some of those involved must be sent to the CAAV.