Airfares lowest in five years
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Domestic airfares are at their lowest levels in five years as demand remains low. Hoa of the central Quang Nam Province said: “I had to pay only VND370,000 ($16.37) for a flight from Chu Lai (in the central provinces of Quang Nam) to HCMC, a rate I have not seen in the last five years.”
Hoa in Hanoi said a return ticket between the capital and Phu Quoc Island is now around VND1.1 million while even several years ago the cheapest fare was only VND1.5 million.
Thu, who runs a travel agency in Hanoi, said a one-way ticket for a flight between Hanoi or HCMC to some central provinces now costs VND314,000-450,000, the lowest in five years.
“But the number of passengers is still very small, except on key routes like HCMC-Hanoi, HCMC-Da Nang and Hanoi-Da Nang.”
Surveys by VnExpress found that fares from HCMC to the Central Highlands town of Da Lat and the central town of Nha Trang are VND358,000, and to some other destinations are VND483,000.
Vietjet Air sells a one-way ticket for a flight between HCMC and Hanoi at VND544,000, and Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways at VND1.1-1.8 million, down 15-20 percent from a year ago.
Carriers said they have yet to attract many customers because people are still worried about the Covid-19 threat and the stringent air travel requirements.
A Vietnam Airlines spokesperson said: “We have resumed flights on 38 domestic routes and six international one. The number of passengers is still low, but flights between HCMC and Da Nang, and between HCMC and Hanoi are 80 percent full”.
Vietjet said it would resume flying on 48 domestic routes by Nov. 30. It currently offers free rapid Covid tests for passengers departing from HCMC and Hanoi.
Recently the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed the resumption of international flights to 15 countries and territories in four phases between now and July.
Vietnam closed its doors to foreign tourists and canceled all international flights in March last year to contain Covid, since then allowing entry only for Vietnamese repatriates and foreign experts and highly-skilled workers.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which routes are experiencing higher passenger numbers despite overall low demand?
Which routes are experiencing higher passenger numbers despite overall low demand?
Passenger numbers remain small generally, but flights on key routes like HCMC-Hanoi, HCMC-Da Nang, and Hanoi-Da Nang are exceptions. Flights between HCMC and Da Nang, and HCMC and Hanoi, are 80 percent full.
Q.What reasons have carriers given for the continued low number of customers?
What reasons have carriers given for the continued low number of customers?
Carriers state that many customers are still concerned about the Covid-19 threat. Also, stringent air travel requirements are deterring potential passengers from flying.
Q.What measures are some airlines taking to encourage passengers to fly?
What measures are some airlines taking to encourage passengers to fly?
Vietjet currently offers free rapid Covid tests for passengers departing from HCMC and Hanoi. This initiative aims to reassure travellers and boost bookings on their routes.