Vietnamese airlines gear up for busy summer travel season

HÀ NỘI – With summer vacation approaching and travel demand surging, Vietnamese airlines are ramping up capacity, particularly on popular routes connecting to tourist destinations.

Vietnam Airlines welcomes customers. VNA/VNS Photo

The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) reported booking rates exceeding average levels on several routes from Hà Nội and HCM City to popular tourist spots. Weekends and days closer to departure show the highest demand, with booking rates exceeding 50 per cent on some routes. Even on weekdays, bookings remain healthy, hovering between 20 per cent and 40 per cent.

Destinations like Quy Nhơn, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang and Điện Biên are experiencing particularly high booking rates from both Hanoi and HCM City.

To cater to this increasing demand, airlines are offering a variety of fares, including several significantly lower-priced options compared to the maximum fares regulated for economy class.

Industry leaders believe there is ample room for cooperation between airlines and tourism companies to maximise efficiency and affordability. Lê Hồng Hà, General Director of Vietnam Airlines Corporation, suggested tourism companies offer discounted rates of first-night stays for passengers arriving on late-night flights. Given the global shortage of aircraft, airlines should work together and share the best practices to maximise flight efficiency.

Vietjet Air's Deputy General Director Đỗ Xuân Quang proposed additional measures to support the aviation and tourism sectors. These include continued government support mechanisms regarding the environmental tax on fuel, reduced fees for new international routes, and lowered banking interest rates to airlines, hotels and tourism companies.

He also called for the State's support policies to develop the aircraft fleet of Vietnamese airlines, as well as more effective airport management practices such as efficient flight slot allocation and airport operations, to increase overall capacity. -- VNA/VNS