Local airlines increase flights to support passengers to and from the city of Đà Nẵng from July 26. — Photo courtesy of CAAV

HÀ NỘI — Local airlines have announced they would increase flights to support passengers travelling to and from the city right after Đà Nẵng restarted social distancing measures on Sunday as four COVID-19 patients were found in the coastal city over the weekend.

The airlines also announced policies to support ticket exchange for passengers in the city, one of the most popular tourism spots in Việt Nam, which resumed tourism activities earlier in July.  

According to booking data of the local airlines, from July 27 to July 31, the number of passengers expected to arrive and stay in the city could reach 80,000. There are now 11 routes from domestic airports to the airport with approximately 100 one-way flights per day.

On Monday, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) Đinh Việt Thắng told local media the CAAV requested all airlines in the country to increase flights to and from Đà Nẵng. Thắng expected to take all passengers out of the city before 12am on Tuesday.

Vietnam Airlines announced plans to increase flights and operate wide-body aircraft including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 to serve and support passengers who arrive and depart from the central city.

The airline representative said: “We will closely monitor the situation to make timely flight adjustments based on the direction of the Government and aviation authorities.”  

Vietnam Airlines will support passengers with tickets issued before July 25, 2020 travelling to and from Đà Nẵng for departures before August 31, 2020 to change their flight date and itinerary free with new flights that depart before October 31, 2020. Customers will pay the difference in price, taxes and fees if any.

The airline encouraged passengers to keep hold of their unused tickets to change to the new flight date. Though Vietnam Airlines won’t refund tickets in cash, according to its fare conditions, it will waive the refund fee if the customers want to turn the refund into a travel voucher.

Vietnam Airlines told local media that it is committed to making every effort to arrange flights to bring passengers back on schedule. 

Representatives of Bamboo Airways also said the airline increased flights to and from Đà Nẵng on Sunday and Monday to meet the needs of passengers. The airline also allowed passengers to change flight dates and itinerary and refund tickets for flights to and from the city at least four hours before departure. Customers can choose new flights that depart before October 24.

For customers who have tickets including a resort combo, they are also allowed to change the flight date and itinerary for one time free of charge, but they need to notify the airline at least 12 hours from the first departure time on the combo applicable for the period of July 26 - July 31 and 72 hours the from first departure time on the combo applicable for the period after August 1.

On July 26, Vietjet Air also announced an additional 15 flights between Đà Nẵng, Hà Nội and HCM City. Vietjet would help customers change their tickets after July 26. Under the Vietjet Air policies, passengers who notified the change three hours before departure are allowed to change the flight date free one time and pay the difference in fare (if any). The new flight time will be from July 26, 2020 to October 31, 2020.

To ensure the safety and health of passengers and the community, all the airlines will maintain disinfection of the entire fleet of aircraft, as well as implement measures to conduct health checks. The flight crew are equipped with masks, gloves and alcohol wipes while passengers on the plane are required to wear a mask during the flight. — VNS