The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has issued a new set of requirements for local airlines in the event of flight delays and cancelations, including mandatory compensation for affected passengers.

When a flight is delayed for at least 15 minutes, airlines are required to notify affected passengers of the reason for the delay, the new departure time or alternative schedule and apologize to them, according to the directive released on Tuesday.

The carriers should provide complimentary drinks to affected passengers if the delay lasts for two hours or longer and free meals if the flight takes off three hours later than scheduled.

If a flight scheduled between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm is delayed for at least six hours, the airlines must arrange places for affected flyers to take a rest. If this scenario occurs for flights scheduled between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am the following day, the carriers must arrange accommodation for passengers to spend the night.

In the event of flight delays and cancelations, the airlines are also required to attempt all means to ensure their passengers arrive at their destination in the quickest and most convenient way.

The current regulations on cash compensation for passengers of delayed or canceled flights are as follows.

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