Many airlines are avoiding Ukrainian airspace after the MH17 incident.

According to AFP, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on July 17 ordered US-registered aircraft to avoid the airspace over eastern Ukraine after Malaysian Airlines Boeing MH17 was apparently shot down over rebel-controlled territory in Ukraine.

Airlines are avoiding flying over Ukrainian airspace following the crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Source: flightradar24h.com

Taiwan's leading airline, Eva Airways Corp, announced on July 18th that it would alter its flight routes to avoid Ukrainian airspace, affecting 20 round-trip flights. A representative from the airline confirmed: "Our aircraft will immediately avoid entering Ukrainian airspace. This decision will be in effect indefinitely."

Also on July 17, Germany's largest airline, Lufthansa AG, announced that its aircraft would avoid eastern Ukrainian airspace following the Malaysian plane crash. According to a Lufthansa AG spokesperson, the airline will continue operating at airports in Kyiv and Odessa.

In addition, the Russian airlines Aeroflot and Transaero have stated that they will avoid Ukrainian airspace and all flights will be conducted through a third country. Turkish Airlines has also issued a similar statement. France has instructed its airlines to avoid flying over Ukrainian airspace.

Meanwhile, on July 18, Australian airline Qantas Airways, South Korean airline Korea Air Lines Co Ltd, and Asiana Airlines stated that they had avoided flying over Ukrainian airspace for several months.

Vietnam Airlines adjusts flight routes following Malaysian plane crash.

In a press release issued on July 18th, Vietnam Airlines, the national airline, stated that immediately after being notified of the Malaysia Airlines flight accident in Ukraine, for safety reasons, Vietnam Airlines (VNA) canceled four flights on July 17th: VN37 Hanoi-Frankfurt (Germany), VN17 Hanoi-Paris (France), VN55 Hanoi-London (UK), and VN11 Ho Chi Minh City-Paris (France) to readjust the flight paths and obtain flight permits.

These flights subsequently departed in the early morning of July 18th, delayed by 3 hours and 25 minutes to 5 hours and 10 minutes compared to the scheduled time.

According to a representative from Vietnam Airlines, since the crisis in Ukraine began, the airline has proactively adjusted its flight routes to avoid conflict zones in order to ensure safety.

When the incident occurred, the airline decided to reroute its flight, completely avoiding Ukrainian airspace.

Thanks to prior preparation, the process of obtaining permission to fly in the new airspace was completed quickly.

According to Vietnam+