Vietnam increases international flight frequency across Asia

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has increased the frequency of regular international passenger flights connecting Vietnam and four destinations in Asia.

Following a CAAV announcement dated January 16, 2022, carriers will be allowed to boost their schedules with additional international flights. Four airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Pacific Airlines, are cleared to increase the flight frequency to 14 services per week on routes to Japan, Korea, Taipei in China, and Singapore.

Meanwhile, the carriers will be also be permitted to operate 10 flights per week on routes to Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos as well as four flights per week on routes to China and the United States.

The CAAV also outlined that Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Pacific Airlines will be required to plan flight routes and report to the authority until January 20, 2022. Otherwise, granted flight slots will be withdrawn and transferred to other carriers.

The decision comes as part of the gradual international flight resumption plan, which was approved by Vietnam's government on January 1, 2022. The CAAV anticipates a high demand for international passenger services during the Lunar New Year. The authority has also been in negotiations with other aviation bodies across the globe regarding the potential renewal of flights and an increase in frequency.

“It can be seen that people’s travel demand from HCM City to localities throughout the country during the Lunar New Year has increased again and needs to be met," Dinh Viet Thang, director of the CAAV, told media.

Currently, the Vietnamese authority is focused on resuming air connectivity between Vietnam and France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia. However, this step should obtain approval from Vietnam's Ministry of Transport.