According to statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the booking rate during the period from June 15 to July 15, 2024 is still at a low average level, the booking rate on the surrounding days is higher but only appears on some routes connecting tourist destinations from 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% on days close to and falling on weekends (June 15-17), with further days, this rate fluctuated at only 20-40%.
Some tourist flights from Hanoi/HCMC have higher than average rates, reaching 70-80% such as Hanoi-Quy Nhon, Hanoi-Phu Quoc, Hanoi-Nha Trang, HCMC-Nha Trang, and TP-Dien Bien.
On flights from localities to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the booking rate also recorded similar developments, with the rate reaching an average of over 60% on the days leading up to the trip and 20-40% on the days further away.
Flights from localities with prominent tourist destinations also have some routes with higher rates, from 70 to more than 90% such as Nha Trang-Hanoi, Hue-Hanoi, Quy Nhon-Hanoi, Dong Hoi-Ho Chi Minh City.
Regarding airfares, on electronic information pages, Vietnamese airlines announce many ticket prices for operating flights, many of which are significantly lower than the maximum price prescribed for basic economy class on domestic flights.
For example, comparing ticket prices for departures on the next day and on the weekend of June 15, on flights with high booking rates such as Hanoi-Quy Nhon, airlines have prices excluding taxes and fees ranging from VND1.9 million (Bamboo Airways) to VND2.4 million (Vietnam Airlines), equivalent to 67-83% of the maximum rate as prescribed (VND2.89 million).
For the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route, ticket prices excluding taxes and fees range from VND2.7 million (Vietnam Airlines) to VND3.4 million (Vietjet Air), equivalent to 69-87% of the maximum rate as prescribed (VND4 million).
With further departure dates, more and more low fares are announced by airlines for passengers to choose from.
"It can be seen that when planning to book flight tickets early and far from the departure date, in addition to having more opportunities to book seats on flights, passengers will also have more options for prices suitable to their conditions and travel needs," said the leader of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
In addition, passengers planning their travel and choosing to book tickets early will also create conditions for Vietnamese airlines to arrange resources, optimize aircraft operations, limit flight cancellations and reduce pressure in the context of the current shrinking fleet of airlines.
According to Mr. Do Hong Cam, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, in the first 5 months of 2024, the total passenger market is estimated to reach 38.1 million passengers, an increase of 6.7% over the same period in 2023 and equal to 98% over the same period in 2019. Of which, the international market reached 21.1 million passengers, an increase of 44.3% over the same period in 2022 and an increase of 3% over the same period in 2019; the domestic market alone reached 17 million passengers, a decrease of 19.4% over the same period in 2023 and equal to 92% over the same period in 2019.
Mr. Cam said that according to research and assessment by the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA), airfares in the world today and in the coming time will tend to increase higher than before. Global airfares are forecast to increase by 3-7% in 2024 and will continue to increase in the following years.
According to Nguyen Quoc Ky, Chairman of Vietravel Tourism and Aviation Group, airfares have increased recently but domestic airlines are facing difficulties. Airlines have also tried every way to reduce ticket prices. However, it is time for the Government to step in as a midwife for the economy, including the role of the State Steering Committee on Tourism.
"The cost of aviation is very high, we are "outsourcing" and "chartering" flights, everything belongs to others, from cakes to screws, we have to import them... so we are heavily dependent on market changes. The government needs to sit down with all parties to see what solutions are needed for the aviation industry" - Mr. Ky analyzed.
"A leader said that flying from Saigon to Hanoi is more expensive than flying from Bangkok or Singapore. We feel sad. This may happen at a specific time, but if it becomes a problem, it is not correct."
"We need to calmly look back. How high are airfares, will they affect tourism? I affirm that they do not. We still sell good tours. We need to look at whether tourism products are good or not. Thailand has policies to reduce prices to support aviation and tourism that Vietnam cannot do. There is still room to reduce ticket prices and develop aviation and tourism sustainably, but we need to sit down together to discuss specific measures, including close links 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
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