Vietnam Airlines offers more domestic flights

17/05/2006 (GMT+7)

The Vietnam Airlines Corporation has announced its flight schedule for the June – August season, offering more flights on domestic routes.

From June 1, Vietnam Airlines will offer one more flight per day on Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang route. It will serve up four more flights each week on Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City (Hue stop-over) routes, starting from July 1. All new flights will be in the evenings, on Airbus A320/321 planes.

Regarding the central region, Vietnam Airlines will offer three more flights each week from Ho Chi Minh city – Buon Ma Thuot, starting from May 20, raising the total number of flights each week to 10, which will be flown in ATR72 prop-driven style. The national air carrier is also considering opening direct flights from Buon Ma Thuot to Hanoi, which could begin next winter.

Vietnam Airlines is making every effort to tailor its airfares to customers’ needs. In addition to the two current economy and business classes, passengers may take 30% discount on the red eye, or if they book tickets seven days in advance. Besides that, there will be separate rates for the elderly and students.

Deputy Director General of Vietnam Airlines Pham Ngoc Minh said that the corporation’s move aimed to overcome the difficulties caused by the higher aircraft leasing expenses and higher fuel prices, as it has not been approved to collect fuel surcharges.

Japan, France and Germany have been the key destinations for Vietnamese tourists, with Vietnam Airlines carrying 43% of them abroad. According to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), in 2005, Vietnam ranks the third in the region, behind Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways in terms of business efficiency.