HCMC – On July 8, the Ministry of Transport wrote to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and the relevant units to reschedule flights and slots to avoid congestion at the Hanoi-based Noi Bai and HCMC-based Tan Son Nhat airports while their runways are being repaired.
The surge in demand for air travel during the peak summer travel season is expected to affect the capacity of the airports and the quality of services, according to the ministry.
As such, the ministry asked the authority to review and rearrange slots at the two airports.
Each of the airports will have its runway closed for repairs, reducing the capacity at the two airports by 30%-35% each against the previous period, said the CAAV.
Apart from this, the CAAV was tasked with quickly handling certain problems wherein aircraft move slowly and have to wait in queue for takeoff.
The ministry also asked local airlines to increase the number of flights to other airports, which are neighboring Noi Bai International Airport, including Cat Bi in Haiphong City and Tho Xuan in Thanh Hoa Province and Can Tho and Nha Trang-based Cam Ranh airports, which are adjacent to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
The Ministry of Transport will monitor and impose heavy sanctions on carriers which go against the ministry’s regulations, and combine or cancel flights with several empty seats.
The local airlines were told to map out a backup plan for employees and aircraft to reduce flight delays and cancellations and improve the quality of services so passengers are not affected.
On June 29, the Ministry of Transport began work on repairing the two runways at the Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports at VND4.04 trillion. The projects are slated for completion in late 2021.
By Le Anh
