Passengers at Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai on the occasion of September 2nd holiday has been reduced

Ticket prices are high, and the number of passengers passing through Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports during National Day is expected to increase compared to normal days, but decrease compared to the same holiday period last year.

On the afternoon of August 29, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport representatives reported that during the peak holiday period from August 30 to September 3, approximately 120,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport daily. The highest passenger volume is anticipated on August 30 and September 3, with around 125,000 travelers each day.

This figure represents an increase of about 8% compared to the average daily passenger count of 110,000, but it is a decrease of around 2% compared to last year’s holiday period. Contributing factors include a rise in domestic flight prices and improved highway infrastructure, which has led more people to choose personal cars for their holiday trips.

This year, workers enjoy a 4-day break from Saturday (August 31) to Tuesday (September 3). According to data from Vietnamese airlines, many flights from Ho Chi Minh City to central and northern Vietnam still have tickets available for the peak days, with prices slightly higher than in mid-August. For example, flights to Da Nang on August 31 still have some seats available, with Vietnam Airlines offering tickets at nearly 2.9 million VND; flights to Hanoi are priced around 3.8 million VND.

Photo: Passengers at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport, August 29. Photo: Minh Bằng

Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is expected to operate around 700 flights during the holiday period, with a peak of 730 flights, marking a 5% increase compared to normal flight schedules. To manage potential congestion due to increased passenger numbers, the airport authorities have planned flexible operational measures during peak hours. Flight schedules and ground services are continuously updated to ensure order. Additionally, relevant parties have established communication channels to coordinate and address any emerging issues.

"We have instructed airline representatives to be present at counters to handle and inform passengers about any delays or cancellations to prevent confusion and maintain order at the terminals," stated a representative from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

Previously, during the summer peak period from May 15 to August 15, Tân Sơn Nhất also experienced a decline in total passenger numbers and flights compared to the same period last year. The airport served nearly 10.5 million passengers, averaging around 114,000 per day, a decrease of 8.3%. The total number of flights was close to 61,000, down about 10%.

Noi Bai International Airport is expected to handle 338,000 passengers and nearly 2,100 flights over the 4-day holiday period. Passenger traffic is anticipated to increase by 11% compared to regular days, but decrease by approximately 16% compared to last year's September 2nd holiday.

On the peak day of September 3, Noi Bai will accommodate over 96,000 passengers, including around 35,000 international and over 61,000 domestic travelers, on 569 flights.

From August 31 to September 3, Noi Bai Airport will implement enhanced security measures, including the highest level of security (Level 1), with increased random passenger interviews and maximum deployment of security screening machines during peak hours to ensure smooth operations.

In the first half of 2024, domestic flight prices have risen compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a shortage of aircraft among local carriers, which are operating only 165-170 planes compared to last year’s average of 205. The domestic market largely depends on the capacity of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet. Airlines face challenges in increasing fleet resources amid global shortages and rising rental costs.

Besides aviation, the demand for passenger bus services in southern Vietnam during this holiday period is also lower than last year. As of the afternoon of August 29, many major bus operators have available sleeper seats for routes from Ho Chi Minh City to nearby tourist destinations and the Central Highlands on August 30 to September 1, though in limited numbers; there are still plenty of seat options available. In contrast, train tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to nearby provinces have mostly sold out prior to the holiday, but many return tickets are still available.

Source: VNExpress - Gia Minh - Đoàn Loan