Airlines increase flights on September 2, but ticket prices remain high

Despite a significant increase in flight frequency during the September 2 holiday, domestic airfares remain high, causing many concerns for travelers.

Indian tourists visit and shop at Ben Thanh market - Photo: N.BINH

According to a survey on the websites of Vietnamese airlines, airfare Domestic flights during the peak period from August 30 to September 4 all increased, especially the routes Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City - Phu Quoc, with prices ranging from 1.7 - 2.1 million VND/ticket/way.

More flights, but airfares remain high

On August 13, Vietnam Airlines announced the provision of 500,000 additional seats, equivalent to 2,500 flights, after many domestic flights reached an occupancy rate of nearly 50%.

Meanwhile, Vietjet announced that it will receive 10 more aircraft to increase its operating capacity to meet demand amid a shortage of aircraft supply.

Mr. Nguyen Son, an airline ticket agent in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the domestic airline ticket market in September 2024 also recorded significant changes compared to July in both ticket prices and demand.

After the peak summer holiday season, July saw a surge in passenger numbers, leading to higher ticket prices due to high demand and many fully booked flights.

Popular routes such as Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang all have average prices from 1.5 - 2 million VND/ticket/way. For example, the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang route on the occasion of September 2nd holiday is from 1.7 - 1.9 million VND/ticket/way, an increase of more than 20 - 30% compared to the same period last year.

"Previously, the ticket price to Da Nang was 1.3 - 1.5 million VND, now it has increased to 1.7 - 1.9 million VND" - Mr. Son said, adding that the main reason for the increase in ticket prices is due to the shortage of aircraft and high operating costs.

In addition, travel demand remains high after the summer tourist season and September 2 holiday, even though the peak season has passed.

Airlines must support tourism

Talking to us, Mr. TT - communications director of a travel company - said that depending on the flight schedules of airlines makes tours anxious about delays.

For example, this summer, flight delays happen frequently, and many tours have received backlash from customers because they affect their travel itineraries.

However, Mr. Pham Anh Vu - representative of Viet Tourism Media Joint Stock Company, acknowledged that airfares on the occasion of September 2nd holiday are still higher than normal days but are "more affordable" than during the peak summer tourist season.

In addition, many tourists also choose foreign tours to experience the red leaf season in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea and Japan.

These tours are often flexibly designed with flight schedules departing at night so as not to exceed holiday time.

Also on August 13, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it had sent a document to Vietnamese airlines about the operation plan during the National Day holiday on September 2, 2024.

Accordingly, this agency requires airlines to proactively coordinate with travel businesses in developing programs and plans to exploit key tourism localities and countries to support, promote and enhance domestic and international tourism activities.

"Airlines coordinate with ground service providers to develop plans to serve flights, especially flights at night; support and create conditions for airlines to maintain and stabilize maximum rates and frequencies of operations, ensuring full safety conditions and operational capacity," the agency requested.

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