Increase domestic flights in major cities, Vietnam aviation authority proposes

By Doan Loan   November 25, 2021 | 04:31 am PT
Increase domestic flights in major cities, Vietnam aviation authority proposes
Passengers wait to check in at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, October 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed increasing flight frequency between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang from next month, before pre-pandemic levels are resumed early next year.

In a proposal sent Thursday to the Ministry of Transport, the CAAV said the increase would meet higher travel demand during the year-end peak season.

It has suggested that the number of daily flights between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang be increased to 16 from December 1-14.

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air would each operate five flights a day on the Hanoi-HCMC, Hanoi-Da Nang and Da Nang-HCMC routes. Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines and Vietravel Airlines will operate three, two and one flight, respectively, on these routes.

In the remaining half of next month, the number of daily flights between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang would increase further to 20.

The CAAV also wants to increase the frequency on other routes to nine flights a day from the current maximum of four, and to normal levels from early next year.

The government has allowed airlines to resume flying on all domestic routes since October 21 at reduced frequencies.

Between Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang domestic carriers currently operate a maximum of six flights a day either way.

A CAAV spokesperson who did not want to be named said the limited number of flights allowed until November 30 would make it difficult for airlines to prepare for the upcoming peak travel season, especially during Lunar New Year, the country’s biggest holiday.

The limited flight frequency has resulted in expensive air tickets and frustrated passengers, the spokesperson said.

Currently, passengers need to satisfy one of three conditions: a negative test at least 72 hours prior, a certificate showing they are fully vaccinated with the second shot taken between 14 days and 12 months prior or a certificate proving they recovered from Covid-19 not more than six months earlier.

But those high-risk or locked-down areas and HCMC and Can Tho need to furnish a negative coronavirus test before boarding, even if they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

 
 
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