HCMC – Amid the suspension of international air services due to the Covid-19 pandemic, over the past three months, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has continuously been opening new domestic air routes and is set to launch four more on July 22.

On July 13, the carrier announced it would begin two new domestic air routes of Haiphong-Dien Bien and Dalat-Phu Quoc, while reopening the Can Tho-Phu Quoc and Danang-Van Don air routes. The flights operating on these routes are scheduled to begin on July 22. The frequency on the Haiphong-Dien Bien air route will be four round-trip flights per week, while the Dalat-Phu Quoc air route will have a frequency of three weekly round-trip flights. The Can Tho-Phu Quoc and Danang-Van Don air routes are set to have a frequency of four and three weekly round-trip flights, respectively. Due to the impact of Covid-19, the number of passengers transported by the carrier in 2020 is expected to dip by 48% against 2019, while its revenue is forecast to drop by VND50 trillion. Since May, when the coronavirus pandemic was successfully brought under control in Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines has resumed a total of 22 air routes, including four in July, taking the total number of its domestic air services to 61. To ensure the safety of passengers, Vietnam Airlines is continuing to follow certain Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures, including disinfecting aircraft after each day of operation. Moreover, pilots, flight attendants and passengers onboard are required to wear masks during the journey.

By Le Anh