Nội Bài Airport in Hà Nội becomes nearly empty amid ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

HÀ NỘI  — The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has made an urgent announcement to airlines and international airports Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất about resuming international flights to Hà Nội and HCM City immediately.

This announcement was made after the authority initially decided to suspend international flights to Hà Nội's Nội Bài Airport for a week, and to Hồ Chí Minh City's Tân Sơn Nhất Airport until June 14. 

Việt Nam has suspended international commercial flights to the country since early 2020 to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but allowed a limited number of flights bringing in repatriated Vietnamese citizens, diplomats, businesspeople, and highly skilled workers.

Domestic flights to HCM City reduced 

CAAV has also asked airlines to reduce their domestic flights to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic as the city is enacting two-week social distancing order since May 31 to battle growing coronavirus outbreak.

In a document signed by CAAV Vice Director Võ Huy Cường, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Pacific Airlines, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines are asked to comply with the plan on domestic flights that was issued on May 31.

Accordingly, the airlines are allowed to operate a total of maximum 63 two-way flights to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport each day from June 1-14. Of the number, Vietnam Airlines can operate 28 flights each day, Vietjet 20, Jetstar three, Bamboo Airways 11, and Vietravel Airlines one.

The CAAV also requested the airlines to continue strictly implementing COVID-19 prevention and control measures during flights and at the airport. The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading in HCM City in recent days. From May 27, the city has detected 200 locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases. — VNS