Vietnam Airlines Group, which consists of Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), is planning to gradually restore its entire domestic network by the beginning of June, the carrier said in a statement.
The carrier suspended most domestic flights in March in compliance with orders from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
Vietnam Airlines said until May 15, the carrier will continue to operate 17 flights per day on the routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but starting from May 16, the carrier is expecting to increase flights on this route to 23 flights per day.
As for its other routes, Vietnam Airlines will increase the frequency of its Danang to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City routes to eight flights per day; Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc route to six or seven flights per day; Ho Chi Minh City to Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa and Vinh route to five flights per day; and those on the remaining routes to one to four flights per day.
“It is estimated that by June 2020, Vietnam Airlines will completely recover its domestic flight network after the resumption of Danang – Van Don and Danang – Can Tho routes,” the carrier said in a statement.
Vietnam Airlines said it is also working on launching new routes to “diversify its product portfolio”.
Starting May 7, Jetstar Pacific will also resume its Ho Chi Minh City to Danang, Vinh and Thanh Hoa routes with one flight per day, as well as its Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku, Chu Lai, and Dong Hoi routes with four flights per week.
“The carrier is keeping a close watch on the market demand to increase its flight frequency in the coming days, especially on the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City trunk route,” reads a statement from the airline.
Vietnam Air Service Company (VASCO) will also operate more flights on its Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao route to six or eight flights per day, the carrier said. The carrier also said it expects to “regularly” operate two to three flights per week on the Hanoi to Dien Bien route, as well as the Ho Chi Minh City to the Rach Gia and Ca Mau routes, and finally the Can Tho to Con Dao route.
“During this period, Vietnam Airlines Group will adjust flight schedules based on the actual situation and functional authorities’ approval,” said the carrier in a statement.
All passenger on these flights will have to wear face masks throughout the flights, and will “will receive instructions on body temperature screening and pre-boarding health declaration”. The group also said all the carriers will continue to disinfect the whole aircraft and remove in-flight meals on domestic flights due to regulation from Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam.
