Night flight discounts cool down summer airfares

A one-way ticket from Hanoi and HCMC to Da Nang on Vietnam Airlines costs VND1.2 million (US$47) on night flights from Sunday to Wednesday.

The same fare is also offered by Vietjet and Vietravel Airlines.

Compared to the average fares on the routes during the first four months of this year, Vietnam Airlines’ night flights are 30% cheaper while Vietjet’s and Vietravel’s are 20% 14% and cheaper.

Vietnam Airlines has also reduced its fare on the Hanoi-Nha Trang route from VND2 million to VND1.65 million.

On the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route, early-morning and late-night flights have become 34% cheaper at VND1.6-2.2 million.

Airlines have been making efforts to cut domestic airfares, especially during the peak summer season.

Vietnam Airlines recently announced it would offer 300,000 cheap economy class tickets at around VND1.1 million during the next three months, accounting for 30% of its capacity.

Vietjet is offering free and discounted tickets on many routes like Hanoi-Phu Quoc, HCMC-Nha Trang and HCMC-Da Nang during the last few months of the year.

On Thursday the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam announced that fares have decreased from their peaks seen during the Reunification Day and May Day holidays on April 30-May 1.

It also said reasonably priced tickets would be available during the upcoming summer holidays.

Given the country’s severe aircraft shortage, it asked airlines to carefully manage their operations and find ways to boost the number of night flights.

The recent promotions and discounts indicate there is strong competition in the domestic market, it added.

Domestic flights are operated by four carriers, the other being Bamboo Airways.

Bamboo, which is struggling financially and has only five aircraft, has been trying to offer cheap tickets but mostly during the low-demand period at year-end.

A spokesperson for the airline said discounted tickets at VND199,000 would be sold on some domestic routes starting in September.

Vietravel Airlines has been selling cheap tickets at VND8,000 (not including taxes and fees) between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. every weekday.

These tickets are for flights from now until Oct. 26.