Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways have been ordered to reduce the frequency of domestic flights until April 15, in a bid to the prevent the risk of contagion from pandemic-hit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other provinces and cities.

Passengers are checking in Tan Son Nhat International Airport. (Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 29 requested the Ministry of Transport to supervise the suspension of international services as well as curb domestic flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, except for special cases.

In addition, operators are asked to limit public transport services.

Earlier, on the same day, the Ministry of Transport sent a dispatch to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) about the suspension of flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and other domestic destinations.

Vietnam Airlines announced on the same day its reduction of domestic flights from March 30 until April 15, and will conduct other domestic flights of emergency.

The national air carrier will only operate one flight among Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Danang and Phu Quoc; other routes are suspended until further notice.

Meanwhile, Bamboo Airways and Jetstar Pacific also cut many domestic routes such as Hai Phong – Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang, while Vietjet Air will operate three flights per day on the Ho Chi Minh City – Danang route.

According to Vietnam Airlines, it will also assist domestic passengers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to change departing time in accordance with its regulations.

From March 25, all planes of Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City are disinfected and those in operation are sanitized once a day.