Vietnam’s aviation sector has witnessed double-digit growth in passenger transport in the past decade, and the market is forecast to build up momentum in 2019, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).

Passengers at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

The ACV predicted the number of passengers passing through airports across the country will exceed 112 million in 2019, up by 6 million from the previous year. Last year, the number of air passengers climbed 12.9 percent to 106 million.

According to Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) Pham Van Hao, the aviation, the growth is in line with prediction of the international organisations like International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Boeing.

Much to the growth is low airfares

Super sale scheme of domestic carriers have made airports more crowded than ever before. 

With a wide range of promotional campaigns like Flying Around Asia from 0 VND, installment programme for buying air tickets, and Fly for love-Show your summer version, low-cost Vietjet Air has ensured that air travel is more affordable. 

Meanwhile, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airline, a global four-star airline, has run various interesting promotions to attract a huge crowd of passengers. Its affiliate Jetstar Pacific also joins the promotion race with its refund policy for a group of 4 passengers including children aged 2-12 on Thanh Hoa-Da Nang and Vinh-Da Nang routes. 

Besides, new-born Bamboo Airway sold tickets for its new routes at promotional prices. The carrier is operating 14 routes and running nearly 40 flights per day. Its flights have reported high occupancy rate of 80-90 percent. The carrier is planning a direct air route to the US by the end of this year.

Infrastructure needs improvements

Amid the rapid growth and increasing competition of Vietnam’s aviation market, improving service quality and passenger experience becomes vital for carriers.

As overloading at major airports such as Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat is significantly affecting service quality, the CAAV has ordered the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to arrange departure time rationally as well as enhance night flights to lessen pressure at the airports.

Besides, ACV is urged to equip more advanced technologies to optimise operation at all airports. At the same time, it should work to promote the implementation of projects to expand and upgrade local airports, comprising building Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and relevant technical infrastructure to ensure that the airport can serve up to 50 million passengers per year, and expansion of Noi Bai International Airport to increase its handling capacity to 80-100 million passengers per year.

The CAAV is reviewing regulations to ensure that investors can involve in the aviation sector.

It said that the sector’s sustainable development depends on safety and security, thus, carriers and competent authorities must comply with both domestic laws and international organisations’ strict standards on security and safety.

By 2020, Vietnam plans to have 10 international airports and 13 domestic airports. The total number of airports will increase to 28 by 2030, according to ACV.

Experts said it is important to have proper airport planning with regards to tourism and socio-economic planning and develop good transport connectivity to the airports.