Passengers at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội after social distancing was eased on April 23. The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam has asked the Ministry of Transport to increase domestic flights and remove social distancing on aircraft. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

HÀ NỘI — The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has asked the Ministry of Transport to increase the frequency of domestic flights and relax social distancing regulations on aircraft.

The agency said keeping a distance of at least one metre among passengers during the completion of aviation procedures, security screening, and lining up to board the plane should remain unchanged, but that distance should not be required while onboard, allowing planes to use their full capacity.

It also proposed the ministry adjust regulations on the frequency of domestic routes.

Under the proposal, from May 5, the Hà Nội - HCM City route would be able to operate 52 round trips per day, while the Hà Nội - Đà Nẵng and HCM City - Đà Nẵng routes could operate 20 daily round trips each. 

According to data from the CCAV, airlines operating flights to domestic airports carried more than 150,000 passengers during the four-day National Reunification Day and May Day holiday (April 30 – May 3). 

Đinh Việt Thắng, Director of the CCAV, said the aviation sector is maintaining COVID-19 prevention measures at a level higher than required by the ministries of health and transport such as declaring health status, disinfecting aircraft, arranging seat spacing, checking passengers’ body temperatures and refusing to transport passengers with symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath. — VNS