(VOVWORLD) - Airports have become busier as people are returning to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet). Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, and many other airports serve numbers of passengers two or three times higher than usual.
 At Noi Bai International Airport (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
Tan Son Nhat Airport sees about 1,000 flights a day, mostly inbound. All airlines have increased their flights for Tet. Nguyen Cong Hoan, Deputy Director of Tan Son Nhat Airport, said the airport has Vietnam's highest flight frequency, as it handles nearly 260,000 flights annually.
During the peak period of Tet, Tan Son Nhat reports an average of 860 to 900 take-offs and landings a day. It serves about 150,000 passengers a day.
At Noi Bai Airport, the number of foreign passengers is stable while the numbers of domestic travelers increases sharply a few days before Tet. February 7, or two days before the Lunar New Year Festival, is scheduled to serve 98,000 passengers with 600 flights.
On February 15, when people return to work after the Tet holiday, Noi Bai is scheduled to serve 108,000 passengers with 600 flights. To Tu Ha, Director of Noi Bai International Airport, said security, safety and other services are well-prepared.
Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet have to rent aircraft from abroad to service all the domestic flights. Le Hong Ha, General Director of Vietnam Airlines, said it has added 500 flights during the Tet holiday.
“Vietnam Airlines has prepared resources in advance to serve the peak of travel demand. We chartered four aircraft for the Tết and added 500 flights. The Civil Aviation Authority has granted us permission for around-the-clock take-off and landing to meet people’s travel demand conveniently and safely.”
Date from the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority show that from February 1 to 19, flights from Ho Chi Minh City have a very high booking rate. The Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi route has a booking rate of 80%.