Airlines lease more planes for Tet peak season

November 28, 2024 | 10:16
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Domestic airlines are leasing additional aircraft to increase operational resources, preparing for the upcoming Lunar New Year peak season, in response to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)'s call for transport capacity enhancement.

Vietravel Airlines expanded its fleet by acquiring a new aircraft on November 24 from Avion Express, a Lithuania-based aircraft leasing and ACMI service provider, to boost transport capacity during the upcoming peak season.

On November 5, Bamboo Airways also added an Airbus A320, expanding its fleet to eight aircraft. The airline plans to continue receiving new aircraft, with a target of operating 18 aircraft by the end of 2025, subject to favourable market conditions.

Airlines lease more planes for Tet peak season
Photo: baodautu.vn

According to vtv.vn, Luong Hoai Nam, CEO of Bamboo Airways, said, "The airline is actively working with partners and expects to receive more new aircraft before the new year, responding to the CAAV's call to supplement transport capacity and increase supply on domestic and international routes."

In October, Vietjet received a new A321neo, the 80th aircraft in its 206-aircraft order from Airbus. According to this year's plan, the low-cost carrier will receive 10 new aircraft, mostly A321neo models.

Currently, Vietnam Airlines is seeking partners to lease an additional four Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, including two dry-leased and two wet-leased aircraft. Each aircraft is expected to operate 180 flights during the 2025 peak season. Leasing two aircraft would add 64,800 seats, while four aircraft would increase capacity by 129,600 for the year-end period.

Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO will provide over 650,000 seats, equivalent to more than 3,000 domestic flights in Vietnam from January 13 to February 12.

"Vietnam Airlines is monitoring market demand to immediately supplement flights during the upcoming Lunar New Year period when authorised," a Vietnam Airlines representative said.

Previously, the CAAV directed Vietnamese airlines to balance transport resources, coordinate with ground service units to ensure appropriate capacity supply, accelerate new aircraft leasing and purchasing, and reintroduce aircraft completed with engine maintenance and repairs from manufacturers.

The CAAV stated it would strictly manage slot usage to maximise airport infrastructure capacity, ensuring aviation transportation services that meet Lunar New Year travel needs are delivered safely, securely, and with stable service quality.

According to the CAAV, airlines will release over five million tickets for the upcoming peak season, with Vietnam Airlines accounting for more than 2.5 million tickets. Many Lunar New Year flights currently have seat occupancy rates reaching 70-80 per cent, particularly on routes from Ho Chi Minh City to northern and central provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Quy Nhon, Chu Lai, and Dong Hoi. Customer volume is forecast to continue increasing significantly in the coming month.

Le Thi Minh Thanh, director of Ceotour Travel Company, said, "I observe that this year's market ticket prices have increased approximately 8-10 per cent compared to last year. In December, prices could potentially increase by 1.5 to 2 times."

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By Phuong Uyen

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