Many flights to tourist destinations are experiencing low passenger numbers.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority, the booking rate for the period from June 15th to July 15th, 2024, remained at a low average level. While the days leading up to this period saw higher booking rates, these were only observed on certain routes connecting tourist destinations in various localities.

Passengers check in at Noi Bai Airport. Photo: Duong Ngoc

Specifically, the average booking rate on flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other localities reached over 50% in the days leading up to and falling on the weekend (June 15-17), while on days further away, this rate fluctuated between only 20-40%.

Some tourist routes from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City have higher-than-average occupancy rates, reaching 70-80%, such as Hanoi-Quy Nhon, Hanoi-Phu Quoc, Hanoi-Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City- Dien Bien .

On routes from other provinces to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, booking rates also showed similar trends, averaging over 60% in the days leading up to departure and 20-40% in the days further away.

Flights from localities with prominent tourist destinations also show some routes with higher occupancy rates, ranging from 70% to over 90%, such as Nha Trang-Hanoi, Hue-Hanoi, Quy Nhon-Hanoi, and Dong Hoi-Ho Chi Minh City.

Regarding airfares, Vietnamese airlines publish various ticket prices for their routes on their websites, many of which are significantly lower than the maximum price allowed for basic economy class on domestic routes.

For example, comparing ticket prices for flights departing on the following day and on the weekend of June 15th, on a high-booking route like Hanoi-Quy Nhon, airlines offer prices excluding taxes and fees ranging from 1.9 million VND (Bamboo Airways) to 2.4 million VND (Vietnam Airlines), equivalent to 67-83% of the maximum regulated price (2.89 million VND).

For the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route, ticket prices, excluding taxes and fees, range from 2.7 million VND (Vietnam Airlines) to 3.4 million VND (Vietjet Air), equivalent to 69-87% of the maximum regulated price (4 million VND).

For longer departure dates, airlines offer more and more low-priced options for passengers to choose from.

"It can be seen that when planning to book airline tickets early and well in advance of the departure date, in addition to having more opportunities to book seats on certain routes, passengers will also have more choices of prices that suit their conditions and travel needs," said a leader of the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority.

Furthermore, passengers planning their travel and booking tickets in advance will allow Vietnamese airlines to allocate resources, optimize aircraft operations, minimize flight cancellations, and reduce pressure in the context of shrinking aircraft fleets.

According to Mr. Do Hong Cam, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, in the first five months of 2024, the total passenger market is estimated to reach 38.1 million passengers, an increase of 6.7% compared to the same period in 2023 and equal to 98% compared to the same period in 2019. Of which, the international market reached 21.1 million passengers, an increase of 44.3% compared to the same period in 2022 and an increase of 3% compared to the same period in 2019; while the domestic market reached 17 million passengers, a decrease of 19.4% compared to the same period in 2023 and equal to 92% compared to the same period in 2019.

Mr. Cam stated that according to research and assessments by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), airfares worldwide are currently and will continue to rise compared to previous periods. Global airfares are projected to increase by 3-7% in 2024 and will continue to rise in subsequent years.

According to Nguyen Quoc Ky, Chairman of Vietravel Tourism and Aviation Group, airfares have increased significantly recently, yet domestic airlines are all facing difficulties. The airlines have also tried every means to reduce fares. However, it is time for the government to step in as a facilitator for the economy, including the role of the State Steering Committee on Tourism.

"The costs for aviation are enormous; we are essentially 'flying on a contract basis,' 'flying on lease,' everything is imported from others, from the smallest components to the smallest screws… therefore, we are heavily dependent on market fluctuations. The government needs to sit down with all parties involved to see what solutions are needed for the aviation industry," Mr. Ky analyzed.

"When a leader stated that flying from Saigon to Hanoi is more expensive than flying to Bangkok or Singapore, we were saddened. This might happen at a specific time, but to label it as a problem is incorrect."

"We need to calmly reassess the situation. How high are airfares, and is this affecting tourism? I can confirm that it's not affecting it. We're still selling tours well. We need to consider whether our tourism products are good enough. Thailand has policies to reduce prices and support aviation and tourism that Vietnam hasn't been able to implement. There's still room to reduce airfares and develop aviation and tourism sustainably, but we need to sit down together to discuss specific measures, including close cooperation between localities, tourism, and aviation," Mr. Ky emphasized.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nhieu-duong-bay-den-cac-diem-du-lich-e-khach-196240617061947044.htm