That is the opinion of businesses and experts when talking with VTC News on the morning of October 8.
What do customers say?
Airfares are increasing sharply, especially for flights from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to tourist destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Da Nang... during the Tet holiday.
A survey by VTC News on the morning of October 8 showed that round-trip airfares for Lunar New Year 2024 on some routes are sold at 3.7 - 6 million VND/ticket depending on the airline, flight time and flight date (including taxes and fees).
In particular, flights from Hanoi to Phu Quoc are extremely expensive, ranging from 6 million VND to more than 8 million VND/round trip ticket, 3 times higher than normal days and 2 million VND higher than the same time last year during Tet.
Sky-high airfares not only make thousands of workers hesitate when booking tickets to return home for Tet, but also make many tourists, who are considered to be "willing to spend money", hesitate before clicking to book tickets on the websites of airlines and agents or "pay" to book tickets at traditional agents.
Without a suitable business plan, both the Vietnamese tourism and aviation industries will lose out at home. (Illustration photo: Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam)
Mr. Nguyen Van Mung (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) said that when he surveyed the ticket prices to go home during Tet, he was surprised. According to him, the airfare is high, he will choose to take a bus or rent a car to go home or go to the provinces to save money while the economy is still difficult.
Compared to international flights and foreign tours, airlines selling to Vietnamese people during Tet holidays at too high prices will make Vietnam tourism less attractive in the context of increasing competition between international destinations.
“If you choose to go home to visit your family during Tet, it is better to take your family abroad. I hope airlines will reconsider their business plans in the current difficult situation if they do not want a slump to occur.
Although it is at the peak of business and is an "opportunity" for companies to increase revenue and offset expenses, it must be done in moderation, in accordance with the actual conditions of consumers, Mr. Mung stated his opinion.
Mr. Pham Minh Khai - Director of a company specializing in installing fire protection equipment (Go Vap district, Ho Chi Minh City) said that he feels that Vietnamese airlines are targeting rich customers, treating them like "chickens to slaughter freely".
Many customers think that airfares during Tet are too high, airlines need to adjust prices accordingly.
“I think that when doing business, we need to have a long-term strategy with customers. Customer satisfaction must be the top priority. In the long run, no one can save the companies by the positive changes of the companies themselves.
If customers cannot find satisfaction from airlines, they can switch to using other means of transportation such as personal cars, car rental services or taking the train...", Mr. Khai confided.
How to save a "lost goal"?
Responding to VTC News, Mr. Tran The Dung - General Director of Vietluxtour Travel Company said that every year, airfares during Tet are higher than usual because people's travel needs increase.
However, if the ticket price is too high, it will lead to many famous destinations in Vietnam falling into a slump. Sky-high ticket prices make tourists not dare to go out, or if they do go, they will change to a nearby location, choose other means of transport such as trains, rent cars or use personal vehicles...
Mr. Dung commented that if domestic ticket prices are too high, many tourists will choose to switch to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, etc. with prices that are not significantly higher than domestic prices.
Package tour price is only 8-10 million VND, flying on 4-5 star airline, 4-day itinerary with interesting sights, central hotel, good food, professional service.
“This not only affects the business strategies of airlines, but also affects travel companies, even though travel companies have planned to book air tickets half a year in advance,” said Mr. Dung.
According to experts, the high price of domestic air tickets during Tet is noteworthy, not only affecting people's travel plans, but also affecting the Vietnamese aviation and tourism industries.
Flights from Hanoi to Phu Quoc are usually the most expensive during holidays and Tet.
Responding to VTC News on the morning of October 8, Associate Professor - Doctor, aviation expert Nguyen Thien Tong said that domestic airfares increasing 3-4 times compared to normal days during the peak Tet holiday is not surprising, because airlines have to calculate and balance flight routes, because transportation in general, and air transportation in particular, during Tet, is only full in one direction, the other direction is basically empty.
Along with that, airlines are selling tickets according to market mechanisms and complying with regulations, and there is competition on ticket prices between airlines and routes.
"If airfares are too high, people will definitely limit their travel, and those who visit relatives will also have to calculate and change their plans. Instead of going home, they will send gifts and money.
Besides, domestic ticket prices are too high, many tourists switch to choosing foreign tours with similar or lower costs. This will affect the tourism industry and the aviation industry. Therefore, airlines will certainly have to calculate and adjust to avoid the situation of sluggish sales," said expert Nguyen Thien Tong.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Dinh Viet Thang, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said that ticket prices offered by airlines depend on the policies of each time and the laws of supply and demand of the market.
In the beginning, airlines always offer high prices at a certain time, at a certain flight time so that those who have the conditions and schedule are forced to fly at that time and date. Airlines expect that segment to sell at a high price, and other time frames and other days will have different prices.
The ticket prices offered by the airlines are still within the regulated ceiling price range. When people's travel demand increases, the airlines will certainly increase flights to maximize the number of passengers.
However, it is not yet possible to confirm whether such high prices can last throughout the Tet period, on all flights or just at one time. When ticket prices are high and cannot be sold, airlines must adjust their prices themselves,” said Mr. Thang.
“The Civil Aviation Authority also closely monitors and requires airlines to provide customer booking data. When the number of passengers reaches 70%, the Authority requires airlines to study and propose increasing flights to exploit and serve the travel needs of the people.
When flights increase and supply increases, ticket prices will also have to be adjusted according to the market. The Department cannot require airlines to provide a huge supply, and if they cannot do so, it will be a waste," the representative of the Civil Aviation Authority affirmed.
PHAM DUY
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