Airlines increase flights to attractive tourist destinations

Vietnam Airlines Group, comprised of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO, has moved to expand flights to roughly 30 tourist sites, starting from March 28.

Of the total, the group is set to increase direct flights to 15 key destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Da Lat, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Buon Ma Thuot among others.

This increase in flight numbers will enable passengers to fly directly to attractive destinations without the need to transit through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, according to a Vietnam Airlines representative.

With this adjusted plan put in place, Vietnam Airlines Group is due to add 280 to 400 flights each week, equivalent to 56,000 to 80,000 additional seats, to its domestic flight network.

Pacific Airlines will launch a further four flights each day between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, whilst two more flights per day will run from Ho Chi Minh City to Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Chu Lai, Vinh, and Thanh Hoa.

The adjusted schedule is being done to partly assist localities as they strive to revitalise economic and trade exchanges following the COVID-19 pandemic, says the representative.

The latest COVID-19 outbreak has been brought under control across the country, paving the way for both the transport and tourism industries to proceed with their recovery plans.

Furthermore, Vietnamese people are scheduled to have a total of four days off work to celebrate National Reunification Day on April 30 and May Day on May 1, presenting a golden chance for the tourism industry to launch promotions in a bid to attract greater tourist numbers.

In an effort to stimulate travel demand from passengers during this period, domestic airlines, whilst opening new air routes, are also introducing a range of low-cost ticket sales incentives.

Most notably, Vietnam Airlines Group is offering a one-way airfare costing just VND90,000, excluding taxes and fees, to passengers who purchase tickets between March 25 to March 28. In addition, Vietnam Airlines is also offering combo of flight and hotel tickets to Vinpearl luxury resort for three days and two nights at a cost of only VND2,440,000, equivalent to US$106, per person.

Meanwhile, budget airlines VietJet Air is capitalising on this occasion by giving away millions of vouchers worth between VND50,000 and 100,000 to passengers if they successfully book tickets before April 15. Passengers will also get an extra 20kg luggage providing that they book economy-class tickets before March 31.

According to tour operators, recent days has seen plenty of famous tourist destinations such as Phu Quoc, Hoi An, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, and Con Dao attract large numbers of holiday-makers. The aviation and tourism sectors are making every effort to cash in on this increased demand.