Airfares on domestic routes is set to slightly increase from October 15, with Vietnam Airlines having the highest rise of VND50,000 per one-way ticket.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV), this is the lowest rise within the permitted margin, and reflects a decision by airlines to encourage air travel before Tet.
Vietnam Airlines will raise the price of a one-way economy-class ticket from Hanoi to HCM City by VND20,000. Currently, the ceiling price for this ticket is regulated VND3.4 million (USD161.9), excluding taxes and charges. With the increase, the same ticket will cost only VND2.67 million, The CAAV said, adding that, Vietnam Airlines’ increases are reasonable.
VietjetAir and AirMekong have also sent the CAAV plan to raise airfare by 3-4%. Earlier, Jestar Pacific also increased fares for one-way tickets by VND60,000.
In December 2011, the Ministry of Finance allowed airlines to increase their domestic airfare by VND5,000 per passenger per km for trips less than 500 km, and VND3,000 for those longer than 500km. CAAV has also permitted the same increases for these distances for this year.