Statistics show that the aircraft fleet in operation in Vietnam has been reduced by 25%, from 223 in 2023 to 173, in the first quarter of this year.
HANOI: The Transport Ministry has asked carriers to develop aircraft fleet operation plans to meet the rising travel demand for the upcoming national holidays and summer peak.
In a document sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the ministry said that the restructuring of some airlines’ fleet and flight networks, coupled with the recall of PW1100 engines by Pratt & Whitney for repair, have affected the load on both international and domestic routes, causing difficulties for passengers in terms of prices and schedules.
Statistics showed that the aircraft fleet in operation in Vietnam has been reduced by 25%, from 223 in 2023 to 173 in the first quarter of this year.
The request is being made as the upcoming national holidays of South Vietnam Liberation Day on April 30th and Labour Day on May 1, and summer holidays, are set to push up air travel demand.
Accordingly, airlines must develop aircraft fleet operation plans to meet the demand as well as raise solutions to reduce flight cancellations or delays and improve service quality.
The ministry asked the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to enhance supervision over air transportation services, ticket listings and sales to prevent illegal increases in air tickets. Any violations must be promptly handled.
In addition, flight plans and adjustments must be made public so that passengers can make appropriate travel plans.
Pratt & Whitney’s recall of its PW1100 engines affects several Airbus A321 NEO planes operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, meaning that these planes will be grounded in 2024 and 2025.
According to Vietnam Airlines’ general-director Le Hong Ha, the shortage of aircraft caused by engine repair and maintenance poses significant difficulties to airlines in 2024.
The problem is that it takes up to 250-300 days for maintenance of an engine, compared to the previous average maintenance time of 100-120 days due to the disruption in supply chains.
Vietnam Airlines currently operates around 60 A321 planes, 12 of which must be grounded for engine maintenance.
Other airlines are struggling with restructuring.
Starting from March 18, Pacific Airlines (part of the Vietnam Airlines Group) suspended flight operations to restructure its fleet and flight network in an effort to ensure operational efficiency. After returning aircraft to clear debt, the airline will not operate any aircraft but rent from Vietnam Airlines.
Bamboo Airways is also undergoing a major restructuring. It has been shutting down all international routes and low-performing domestic routes since the end of last year, including routes from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Con Dao starting from April.
Bamboo reached an agreement to terminate a lease contract on three Embraer E190 jets, narrow-body aircraft accommodating up to 114 passengers, by the end of March. Bamboo’s fleet will be reduced from the peak of 30 to only eight from April 2024.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said that the reduction in the number of aircraft in operation would affect the air transport load this year.
The authority asked air carriers to have plans in place to make up for the shortage of jets, especially during peak periods such as summer holidays. — Viet Nam News/ANN
