Tan Son Nhat Airport is expected to reduce the number of passengers during peak holidays

Tan Son Nhat International Airport has just announced its operating plan for the holiday period of April 30 – May 1 this year.

Reduce hundreds of thousands of domestic visitors

Accordingly, during the peak period from April 26 to May 1, the busiest airport in the country is expected to serve 4,280 flights with a total of 688,718 passengers. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of flights decreased by 186, leading to a decrease in passenger numbers of nearly 70,000. If on the peak day of last year’s holiday, Tan Son Nhat airport served up to 810 flights, this year, this number decreased to only 740 flights.

Notably, if the number of international flights on the occasion of the April 30, 2024 holiday increased by 222 flights (from 1,380 flights in 2023 to 1,602 flights), domestic flight itineraries recorded a sharp decrease, from 3,080 flights. flights decreased to 2,678 flights. Corresponding to the number of international and domestic passengers, the number of international and domestic passengers reversed respectively: an increase of 27,127 – a decrease of 96,319 passengers. It can be clearly seen that this year’s holiday season from April 30 to May 1, the gloomy domestic aviation market is the main factor pulling down the heat at Tan Son Nhat airport.

Although the number of passengers has decreased, Tan Son Nhat Port still proactively meets before the peak and proposes unified plans with all units participating in operations at the airport. In particular, strengthen inspection and supervision of people and vehicles entering/leaving control gates; Reviewing the camera system in the area of ​​check-in islands and baggage conveyors at international and domestic terminals; Limit blind spots, enhance monitoring efficiency.

Regarding bird and wildlife control, the Port has cut grass and dredged ditches according to the regular maintenance plan; Coordinate with relevant units to organize expulsion upon discovery.

At the same time, continue to strengthen regular and unexpected inspections to ensure safety and be ready to respond promptly when incidents occur that may threaten flight safety; ensuring the highest safety utilization factor to meet service requirements during peak periods; Coordinate with functional agencies and local authorities to dredge drainage ditches and ensure air safety.

Aviation service quality is controlled and maintained in many aspects, ensuring operational capacity and improving passenger convenience. Inspection and maintenance of terminal infrastructure and airport infrastructure are carried out according to plan.

“During the peak holiday of April 30 – May 1, Tan Son Nhat International Airport will arrange a force including members of Tan Son Nhat International Airport Youth Union and Vietnam Aviation Academy Youth Union to participate in supporting passengers in the area. Security screening area, public lobby area of ​​domestic terminal during peak hours (from 5 – 9 o’clock) from April 26 – 1.5” – representative of Tan Son Nhat Port further informed.

Continue to increase air cargo

Previously, Vietnamese airlines expected to supply about 900,000 seats on domestic routes during the peak holiday period from April 30 to May 1 this year. Of which, the routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to localities have 657,000 seats, equivalent to 3,400 flights, an increase of 4.2% in seat supply and 5.5% in number of flights compared to the previous year. the same period in 2023. On the other hand, the expected operating aircraft fleet of Vietnamese airlines during this period is 165 – 170 aircraft, down 40 – 45 aircraft compared to the same period in 2023.

Responding to the shortage of aircraft, the Aviation Department has directed to increase slots at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports; Support airlines to adjust slots at airports, optimize operating schedules, increase fleet operating hours, and reduce aircraft turnaround time… At the same time, airlines have continuously searched for, Renting more aircraft, increasing the introduction of wide-body aircraft into domestic operations, extending the fleet’s operating time…

For example, Vietnam Airlines increased the operating time of each aircraft per day from 10 hours to about 11 – 12 hours; Vietjet Air increased from 12 – 13 hours to about 13 – 14 hours. In particular, carriers increase operations in the evening and at night to supplement supply loads. Vietnam Airlines operates and sells 2,000 additional flights operating late hours from after 9 p.m. every day.