Vietnamese aviation authority excuses airfare hikes
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has claimed that increased fuel prices, exchange rates, and plane rental prices have caused airfares to rise since the beginning of the year.
According to CAAV, the average price of economy class tickets on some routes (including taxes and fees) offered by domestic airlines has increased compared to the same period from 2023. However, the adjustments were still within the regulated ceiling price range.
CAAV said that airlines must develop contingency plans and review procedures to reduce aircraft turnaround times, increase nighttime flights, and introduce wide-body aircraft to affect ticket price regulation.
It is also recommended that passengers buy tickets through official channels, stay updated about airline operating plans to make arrangements, and choose reasonable ticket prices.
CAAV has set up a team to inspect flight ticket sales following a request from the Ministry of Transport.
The ten-member inspection team led by CAAV Deputy Head Do Hong Cam will investigate the implementation of declaration, pricing, transparency and disclosure of information regarding airfares of local airlines between January 1 and May 4.
The move came after Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang requested CAAV to conduct a thorough review and immediate inspection of flight ticket sales amid reports of high prices affecting travel demand.
Thang said the recent surge in domestic airline ticket prices directly impacted public travel demand, especially during peak periods such as Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays.
Airfares increased by 50 percent during the five-day holiday, usually the second-largest holiday in Vietnam after the Tet Lunar New Year.
The increase in fuel prices, exchange rates, and airplane rental prices have resulted in the airfare hikes since the beginning of this year. Illustrative photo by Nld.
In a report explaining the recent airfare hikes sent to the Ministry of Transport on May 6, CAAV also mentioned Pratt & Whitney's recall of their PW1100 engines on Airbus A321Neo aircraft.
According to CAAV, the average price of economy class tickets on some routes (including taxes and fees) offered by domestic airlines has increased compared to the same period from 2023. However, the adjustments were still within the regulated ceiling price range.
CAAV said that airlines must develop contingency plans and review procedures to reduce aircraft turnaround times, increase nighttime flights, and introduce wide-body aircraft to affect ticket price regulation.
It is also recommended that passengers buy tickets through official channels, stay updated about airline operating plans to make arrangements, and choose reasonable ticket prices.
CAAV has set up a team to inspect flight ticket sales following a request from the Ministry of Transport.
The ten-member inspection team led by CAAV Deputy Head Do Hong Cam will investigate the implementation of declaration, pricing, transparency and disclosure of information regarding airfares of local airlines between January 1 and May 4.
The move came after Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang requested CAAV to conduct a thorough review and immediate inspection of flight ticket sales amid reports of high prices affecting travel demand.
Thang said the recent surge in domestic airline ticket prices directly impacted public travel demand, especially during peak periods such as Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays.
Airfares increased by 50 percent during the five-day holiday, usually the second-largest holiday in Vietnam after the Tet Lunar New Year.
Airports under the management of the CAAV said they served nearly 1.80 million passengers, including 667,631 international visitors (up 31.16 percent compared to 2023) during the recent holiday.
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