Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese aviation authority has categorically rejected the suggestion that airlines might skip checking passengers’ identification documents during Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday rush.

In a document sent to airport administrations and the Airports Corporation of Việt Nam, along with all domestic airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority has asked all units to abide with passenger management procedures.

Regarding information that Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City, the busiest airport in Việt Nam especially during holidays, is planning to do away with the step of verifying passenger's identification papers at the boarding gates during the peak Tết period, the aviation authority affirmed that at present, the provisions of the law on synchronised transport of passengers and luggage have not changed.

The agency requires airports and airlines to strictly comply with regulations, especially with regards to security inspections and supervision for passengers and hand luggage.

According to the forecast of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, the peak period of the Lunar New Year in 2023 will take place from January 5 to February 6, 2023, with about 120,000 passengers coming through the airport every day.

The reservation rate on flights between Tân Sơn Nhất airport and localities near Tết is quite high, with many flights already fully booked a month before the holiday.

Recently, the aviation authority announced plans to adjust the parameters of coordination of runways, taxiways, and flight operations assurance services to accommodate an additional 32 flights, equivalent to about 6,000 seats per day at the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

Vietnamese airlines to operate about 950-990 flights per day on domestic routes during the peak of the Tết rush.

Compared with the regular flight schedule for the winter of 2022/2023, the average daily frequency of flights has increased by 250-290 daily, translating to an additional 50,000-60,000 seats on this in-demand route.

In total, during the peak of the Lunar New Year holiday, the number of seats supplied increased by approximately 1.7 million seats on domestic routes, an increase of more than 33 per cent compared to the regular schedule for winter 2022/2023, according to the aviation authority. — VNS