Vietnam’s airlines resume normal schedule of domestic flights

Nhat Minh 14:50, 2020/06/01

Some air carriers have not only increased frequency in existing routes but also opened new domestic routes after a long period of air travel restrictions.

Vietnamese airlines have resumed their normal domestic flight timetables amid tight observance of anti-pandemic protocol as Covid-19 has been put under control.

Vietnamese airlines have prepared for re-opening inbound tourism.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of domestic flights by 36%, totaling over 300 flights on May 29, exceeding the same period in 2019.

From April 23 until now, Vietnam Airlines has transported more than half a million passengers on domestic routes. Flights on the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh/Danang routes have 90% of their seats filled.

In mid-May, the national airline opened five more domestic routes and plans to launch other six next month.

Like Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways have also restarted full operations of the domestic flight network with airliners being packed at 90%.

Bamboo Airways, which started its first commercial flight in January 2019, has recommenced domestic flights but only at 50% of the pre-pandemic capacity. Before Covid-19, it operated 150 domestic flights per day.

From June 1, Bamboo Airways will increase flight frequency mainly on the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh route and other cities to 80 flights per day and from June 15 to 120 flights. The airline plans also to increase flights to Vinh and Quy Nhon in anticipation of the peak summer season.

According to Vo Huy Cuong, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, a number of domestic routes have reached 80% of capacity compared to the peak during the Tet holiday this year. Some airlines have not only regained normal operations but have also opened new domestic routes, Cuong added.

Normally, the domestic market peaks during the summer season from May to July. This year, if the summer vacation for students is extended, the aviation industry will have a chance to rebound strongly, Cuong said.

After the epidemic was controlled, the airlines have launched promotional packages with products such as flight cards and combos with many unprecedented attractive incentives to stimulate tourism industry.