Pandemic prevention rules pose challenges to resumed flights. Illustrative photo
According to a report from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), only 98 flights were conducted on 16 domestic routes at 16 airports between four days from October 10-14, transporting 5,924 passengers. The figures were much lower than the scheduled plan of 200 flights on 20 routes at 22 airports.
"Only 49 percent of the approved flights were conducted due to the limited number of passengers," CAAV said. "Some flights had no bookings at all.”
The tight requirements for Covid-19 prevention such as vaccine certificates are among the causes for the low number of passengers, CAAV said. "Vietnam has so far only conducted vaccinations for people aged above 18 and many localities have limited vaccination rates. Many flights were cancelled due to the limited number of passengers.
The rules on safe distance on flights are also forcing airlines to carefully consider and organise suitable routes to ensure profitability.
Vietnam is piloting the reopening of 19 flight routes between October 10-20 after their suspension due to Covid-19.
According to the pilot plan, there should be 38 flights a day connecting some key economic centres such as HCM City with 28 flights per day, Hanoi six flights per day, and some others.
The 28 flights from HCM City connect Binh Dinh, Danang, Hue, Khanh Hoa, Nghe An, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, Phu Quoc, Gia Lai, and Rach Gia.
From Hanoi, there are flights to HCM City, Danang, and Can Tho. Danang has flights to Can Tho and Dak Lak and there will also be a flight route from Thanh Hoa to Lam Dong.
All passengers are required to have two Covid-19 vaccine jabs, with the second taken at least 14 days before boarding the plane; or having recovered from Covid-19 within six months.
Passengers must also test negative for Covid-19 via the PCR method within 72 hours before departure. They must also use the Covid-19 tracking app (PC COVID) during the flight.
