Ticket prices increased rapidly
On the upcoming April 30 holiday, Mr. Pham Trung Tuyen (No. 4, Ho Dac Di Street, Dong Da) plans to take his whole family to Quy Nhon to rest. However, the sky-high airfare prices surprised him. “The cheapest route from Hanoi to Quy Nhon with late flights is about 2 million VND/round-trip ticket. Tickets at good times and weekends cost more than 5 million VND/ticket. With 4 people in my family, the ticket price alone costs at least more than 20 million VND, so I had to switch to going to Sa Pa by road, which is less expensive" - Mr. Tuyen said.
A survey by reporters of the Economic & Urban newspaper at airlines' websites shows that round-trip airfares from Hanoi - Phu Quoc departing on April 28 and returning on May 4 range from 3- 5 million VND/ticket (including taxes and fees).
Specifically, Vietnam Airlines is 7,6 million VND/ticket, Vietjet Air is 5,5 million VND, Vietravel Airlines is 6,6 million VND/ticket, compared to the present time this price is 2,5 million VND/ticket higher. . Even if customers buy business tickets, the selling price is up to 12 - 13 million VND/ticket.
Similarly, for the Hanoi - Nha Trang flight departing on April 28, returning on May 4, there will be the cheapest price of 3 million VND/round-trip ticket, up to 5 million VND/ticket, high 3,9 - 7,7 million VND more than at present. For the Hanoi to Da Nang route departing from April 1,2 to April 1,5, the cheapest price is 27 million VND/round-trip ticket, 4 times higher than this price at the end of March. Hanoi - Da Lat flight ticket price on April 30 of VietJet Air costs from 4 - 4,7 million VND/round-trip ticket, while Vietnam Airlines is 1,6 - 3 million VND/ticket.
Not only have prices increased for flights departing from Hanoi, but flights from Ho Chi Minh City to tourist destinations Phu Quoc and Nha Trang are also in the same situation.
Current round-trip ticket prices for the city route. Ho Chi Minh - Phu Quoc of Vietravel Airlines has the lowest price of 3 million VND; Vietjet Air is 3,3 million VND, Vietnam Airlines is 3,9 million VND. The Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang flight during the April 30 holiday of Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air, and Vietnam Airlines ranges from 4 - 2,7 million VND/round-trip ticket.
Explaining the reason for the increase in air ticket prices, Director of BestPrice Travel Nguyen Van Dat said that air transport services are often seasonal, peak periods such as summer or holidays. when travel demand suddenly increases, while supply is limited, leading to ticket prices being pushed up.
In addition, one of the reasons affecting airline ticket prices is the shortage of aircraft fleet after aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney announced the recall of the PW1100 engine for inspection. repair.
In Vietnam, these engines are being used on a number of A321NEO aircraft operated by Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air, so the number of passenger aircraft decreased by 25 aircraft compared to the same period in 2023. Reasons mentioned The above will directly impact the size of the aircraft fleet and transport on domestic and international routes in 2024.
Tourism seeks to adapt
Information from travel companies shows that an increase in airfare prices will cause tour prices to increase by 5-7%, which will have a strong impact on people's travel needs. Therefore, to attract customers, travel businesses must manage and find practical adaptation options.
Deputy Director of Dat Viet Tour Company Do Van Thuc said that the increase in tour prices has resulted in a decrease in the number of customers, which makes most travel companies not dare to buy airline tickets in advance to reserve seats instead of paying later. Only when a customer registers for a tour will they buy a ticket.
“In the past, the company always bought a large number of air tickets in advance to serve customers during holidays and peak summer seasons. Because if we buy early, we will receive discounts from airlines, thereby reducing tour prices. However, this year, the increase in air ticket prices leads to a corresponding increase in tour prices, so businesses do not dare to order large quantities early, because if they buy and no customers go, they will lose all the ticket money. Faced with this situation, we only dare to rely on the number of tourists buying tours to order tickets. Wherever the number of visitors comes, we buy plane tickets to get there and do not dare to make a deposit to buy many tickets in advance. This business plan is being applied by many travel agencies at the present time" - Mr. Thuc said.
Similarly, Director of Hanoitourist Travel Company Le Hong Thai said that tourists using domestic flights often travel between the hours of 10 - 13:15 and 18:XNUMX - XNUMX:XNUMX every day. Therefore, flights during these hours are always overloaded, and therefore airfares are always the most expensive. To lower the tour price, we have to choose a more suitable flight time to book cheap tickets. Only like that can we sell tours and invite customers.
Information from the Ministry of Transport shows that in order to minimize the impact on passengers participating in air transport, the Ministry of Transport requires the Vietnam Aviation Administration to direct airlines to research and develop operation plans. Adding aircraft to ensure and maintain the transport force, especially during the holiday of April 30 - May 4 and the upcoming summer peak period.
In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam implements solutions to limit flight delays and cancellations, improve service quality, and strictly implement legal regulations and transportation regulations related to passengers' obligations. transport.
