Airlines plan new services, more seats in peak summer travel season

Vietnam Airlines recently announced it would add more than 4,700 domestic flights by August 20. 

The national flag carrier will increase flights on its busy routes connecting Hanoi with Danang, Chu Lai, Pleiku, Nha Trang, HCM City, and Phu Quoc, and those connecting HCM City with Danang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.

These extra flights will increase the airline’s seats to over 4.6 million in the period, up 13.5% compared to normal days and 14% over the same period last year. 

Especially, the carrier will have an additional 47 flights on peak travel days from June 28 to August 6, taking the total to more than 400 a day.

Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Vietjet plans to start new daily services between Danang and South Korean capital Seoul on May 31, between Hanoi and Dong Hoi City on Thursday, and between Hanoi and Myanmar city Yangon on August 31.

Another low-cost airline, Jetstar Pacific, will open a new link between Dong Hoi and Chiang Mai, Thailand on June 16 with two weekly flights.

Earlier, the carrier began operating a domestic route linking Hanoi and Buon Ma Thuot City in the Central Highland province of Daklak, and an international service between Hanoi and Australia’s Sydney with three weekly flights each.

International airlines will also run more flights to Vietnam in the summer. For instance, AirAsia will launch direct service between Danang and Bangkok on June 9, and Air New Zealand will operate Auckland-HCM City service twice a week between June and October.