A member of the security force directs traffic flow at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HÀ NỘI — Nội Bài International Airport’s domestic flight volume has been growing rapidly, 40 per cent higher than the peak time of summer in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A representative of the airport said the number of passengers is constantly setting new peaks every day.

On June 22, the airport transported 102,000 passengers, including 91,000 domestic passengers. Just two days later, the number reached 104,000, including 93,000 domestic.

It is forecasted that in early July 2022, the number of passengers will reach 110,000 visitors daily, he said.

“The passenger transport volume in this year’s summer has exceeded the designed capacity of the Passenger Terminal T1,” he said.

In the meantime, the number of personal vehicles picking up passengers at the airport has also increased dramatically, about three times higher than before the pandemic, he added.

But this is putting great pressure on the traffic flow and car parking at the airport.

According to statistics, the percentage of passengers using public transport to go to the airport is now sharply reduced compared to before the pandemic, reaching only about 30 per cent.

This has meant the airport has to strengthen the aviation security force, regularly coordinating with Nội Bài Police Station in regulating the flow of vehicles in the parking lot, toll entrance/exit lanes to better serve the need of passengers.

The airport is also planning to invest in a non-stop toll collection system to increase traffic capacity and minimise congestion at car parking entrances/exits and arrange an additional car park to serve demand.

The airport recommends passengers limiting the use of personal vehicles, increasing the use of public transport for easy access to the terminal in the peak time.

Passengers should not come to the airport too early because it will put more pressure on the parking lot.

The passenger terminal T1 was put into operation since 2001, with an initial design capacity of six million passengers per year. It was upgraded in 2013, increasing the capacity of the terminal to nine million per year. By July 2017, the airport repaired the terminal to increase the capacity to 15 million passengers per year. — VNS