National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced on April 8 that it carried out two special flights to Germany in order to take German and European citizens back home amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The move to carry out the special flights on April 6 and April 8 comes after the airline received approval from the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Both flights received the sponsorship of the German government and were implemented through joint efforts between the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and Vietnam Airlines. 

Moreover, the flight which departed the country on April 8 also saw the transportation of medical equipment to be donated by the Vietnamese government to five European nations which have been hit hard by the COVID-19. 

The recipients include EU nations such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, in addition to the UK, with the equipment being sent to support their fight against the COVID-19.  

The two flights to Frankfurt were operated using a Boeing 787-10 with approximately 600 passengers on board, all of whom were European citizens 

The flight was a significant help to European citizens who were left stranded in Vietnam due to the suspension of international flights from the country.

It is hoped that these flights will serve to boost diplomatic relations between Vietnam, Germany, and other European nations as they look to offer a joint contribution to the global fight against the COVID-19.