Fuel line open to embattled airline

      The Viet Nam Air Petrol Company (Vinapco) has been ordered to continue providing fuel to Indochina Airlines, which has denied rumours it faced bankruptcy.
The Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam directive came after Vinapco told it in writing it would stop providing fuel to the airline from today if Indochina Airlines failed to pay all its debts.
Rumours untrue
Indochina Airlines chairman Ha Dung said rumours it faced bankruptcy were incorrect. Doing business in aviation was difficult, especially for a new private airline like Indochina, he said.
After receiving the order, the airline asked Vinapco to delay its debt until September because it faced many challenges.
"Indochina Airlines will pay for fuel before every flight so the debt will not increase. This debt is promised to be paid in September," said a CAAV official.
Dung said the company had tried to hold costs and develop its trademark.
CAAV requested the airline to report on its finances and operations.
Its deputy head, Luu Thanh Binh, said CAAV would examine the situation and report to authorities.
"Aviation is a sensitive industry and while waiting for Government guidance, Vinapco cannot stop supplying Indochina Airlines with fuel because the interruption could affect activities and airport safety," Binh said.
The airline, the first private carrier in Viet Nam, started operations last September and recently expanded routes connecting HCM City, Ha Noi, Da Nang and Hai Phong.