The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has decided to increase the slot usage rate at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport in anticipation of increased travel demand during the Tet [Vietnamese Lunar New Year] holiday.

Specifically, from January 25 to February 24, 2024, the CAAV will authorize a maximum of 40 slots (the number of take-offs and landings) per hour during the day and 30 slots per hour during the night. Therefore, airlines flying to Noi Bai Airport will be able to serve an additional 10,800 passengers per day during Tet. 

A large number of travelers head back to their homes to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year. Photo: Hong Quy/The Hanoi Times

Noi Bai International Airport usually sees a spike in passengers and flights during the busiest days of the Tet holiday as travelers head home to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Therefore, the airport has taken measures to prepare for a throughput of more than 100,000 passengers per day during Tet.

About 105,000 passengers and nearly 600 flights are expected to pass through Noi Bai International Airport on the busiest day during the Tet holiday. Airport authorities estimate that a quarter of the passengers and a third of the flights will be international.

Similarly, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will be allowed to operate 44 slots per hour during the day and 40 slots per hour at night, up from an average of 40 slots during peak weekday hours.

According to the CAAV, although Vietnamese and global airlines are facing increased operating costs due to high fuel prices and fluctuating exchange rates, it is expected that ticket prices for Tet 2024 will still be the same as for Tet 2023.

To keep ticket prices at reasonable levels, the CAAV has asked airlines to increase supply and monitor ticket sales and reservations. The CAAV has encouraged airlines to lease aircraft on a short-term basis to extend the daily operating time of the fleet.

The CAAV has asked airports to prepare resources to meet the need for night flights on domestic routes. Transportation departments have been asked to provide vehicles between provinces and cities with airports to increase transportation capacity and meet people's travel needs during Tet.

On this occasion, Vietnam Airlines Group (including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and Vasco) announced the sale of more than 100,000 additional tickets from January 25 to February 24.

Thus, Vietnam Airlines Group will offer more than 2.1 million tickets for the domestic flight network, with about 10,700 flights, mainly on routes between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Danang, Haiphong, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Hue, Da Lat, Cantho, Nha Trang, Phu Yen, Phu Quoc.