Airlines schedule summer flights, coordinate with travel companies

Airlines are planning summer flights, actively coordinating with travel companies on domestic and international destinations - Photo: QUANG DINH

Airlines strengthen cooperation with travel companies

According to information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, this unit has just requested domestic airlines to "schedule" operations during the peak summer season of 2024.

Airlines report on demand for operations, increased flights, as well as proposals related to adjusting parameters for landing and take-off times and flight service times at airports during the April 30 and May 1 holidays and the peak summer season. From there, airlines base on resources, market demand and optimize aircraft operating hours.

The agency requires airlines to develop plans to increase flights immediately on domestic routes from the North to the South, including increasing flights during evening and night hours to promptly meet passenger travel needs.

At the same time, airlines are required to proactively work and coordinate with travel companies to develop program content and exploitation plans to localities and countries in tourist destinations.

Thereby supporting and promoting domestic and international tourism activities.

Vietnam Airlines General Director Le Hong Ha acknowledged that international visitors are gradually returning to Vietnam. The number of visitors from Europe, Australia and other countries in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia to Vietnam is quite positive.

However, to attract more international visitors to Vietnam, it is necessary to ensure the competitiveness of Vietnam's destinations with other countries in the region. Vietnam's tourism itself needs to be attractive and competitive to keep visitors coming back, Mr. Ha said.

Worry about lack of planes this summer

According to airlines, the busiest "business" season for aviation is Tet and the summer peak. Although the number of Tet passengers is high, there is a tendency for load imbalance, with many empty flights. Summer is different, with a high number of passengers, airlines operate both ways, and there are few empty flights.

However, the airline is still facing difficulties due to a shortage of aircraft, and its ability to supply during the summer is being carefully calculated.

Currently, Vietnam Airlines is temporarily grounding 12 A321 aircraft, Vietjet is temporarily grounding 10 aircraft for engine inspection and repair. According to Vietnam Airlines, this has reduced the operating capacity of the airline's narrow-body fleet by up to 20%.

Another airline said it is actively working with aircraft owners abroad, looking for opportunities to lease aircraft to increase flight capacity in the summer of 2024.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hang-bay-len-lich-bay-he-cung-phoi-hop-voi-cong-ty-du-lich-20240301183946488.htm