The 3,000 billion airports in the West continue to have unsatisfactory sales

DNHN - From the beginning of 2022 until the present, the whole nation has been in a state of simultaneous recovery in all areas. As a result, there is an urgent need for local and international routes to be "opened" and "connected" to satisfy rising passenger demand.

With the height of summer coming, several travellers voiced worry about the airport's regular delays and cancellations, as well as hours-long wait periods. This has become a popular news topic in recent days at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. 

The airport is packed and bustling 

Tan Son Nhat International Airport became overcrowded, resulting in repeatedly delayed flights and "lazy" travellers who waited for up to 8 hours yet were still unable to board the aircraft. This lengthy delay, and maybe cancellation, is the result of technological issues, damaged servers, lines, terrible weather... Tan Son Nhat airport's officials have instructed additional reinforcements with 100 per cent security, screening assistance, and a local check-in network for airlines to serve passengers check-in, check-in bags, take off and eliminate lengthy wait time.  

On the other hand, the pressure is high since most people from the Mekong Delta and the South are flocking to this airport due to the largest frequency of domestic to international flights. However, owing to the record number of passengers in recent years, the phenomenon of "sold-out tickets" still exists, and the local airport cannot satisfy the demand if there are just a few domestic flights. Can Tho International Airport, for example, has a big size but much fewer passengers than Cat Bi airport in Hai Phong, Vinh airport in Nghe An, Lien Khuong airport in Lam Dong, and cannot be compared to airports in tourist locations like Vietnam Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and Phu Quoc.

It can be observed that by not fully using capacity and concentrating only on local travel demands, marketing the potential role of international aviation becomes even more challenging. Can Tho International Airport has just two international routes: Taipei - Can Tho and Bangkok - Can Tho.

Still "stalled"

According to the City People's Committee, Can Tho international airport opened in early 2011, with a capacity of 3-5 million passengers per year. At the time, it was the country's fourth-biggest international airport after Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, with a strategic position that served as a driving force for economic, cultural, social, and national security growth in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta area.

The investment capital exceeds 3,000 billion VND, particularly for the passenger terminal, which has a total floor space of 20,750m2, and the runway, which is 3000m long and built to reflect the daring lifestyle of the people of the Southern River region. Install night lighting and an ILS precision landing system to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the B777-300ER, B747-400, and similar, linking Can Tho to nations around the region and the globe.

What is the reason why, despite being equipped with the "International Airport" standard, Can Tho airport has not "taken off" and remains stationary after all these years of operation?

Still unfit for an international airport in 2021, this airport only runs at around 10% of its intended capacity, with no domestic passengers. Although the fee is less than 20%, the route to/from Can Tho has not yet escaped the slow trade. People in the West were ecstatic, but it didn't take long until they had to go several hundred kilometres to Saigon for an international route. However, appropriate levels and branches must "headaches" to generate projects and studies to identify solutions to resuscitate the airport's "sluggishness." 

Fearing that the Can Tho route would "die prematurely," the Ministry of Transport "emergency" ordered the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam to instruct airlines to continue monitoring and studying the market to create "international/international" routes. Implement the aviation-tourism link in the Mekong Delta area under the Prime Minister's Decision No. 105/QD-TTg on "Strengthening the air connection with tourist source markets."

As a result, the state-set air service price will be applied to all international and domestic flights to/from Can Tho (regular and irregular) until the end of 2025, equivalent to 30% of the price band. and 70 per cent of the price range from 2026 until the end of 2030. Vietnamese airlines are urged to maintain their "preferential pricing strategy" on flights to and from Can Tho. Consider prioritizing take-off time (slot) confirmation for flights to/from Can Tho International Airport in compliance with rules.

Work directly with foreign airlines to introduce and guide them to "extend the network of routes" to Vietnam, especially Can Tho. Ensuring "continuous operation" will assist this airport in receiving foreign planes during nighttime hours. Develop and report to the Ministry of Transport in June 2022 on a scheme to expand the utilization of flights to/from Can Tho International Airport. 

At this stage, residents of the Mekong Delta are hoping that Can Tho International Airport will be operational more successfully, "widening the flight route" and diversifying passenger options. Improving service quality in the direction of luxury and class provides clients happiness, saves time, and allows them to be more active throughout their stay. This will help relieve strain on adjacent airports while also avoiding unnecessary expenditure and fulfils the function of "INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT" with a large wingspan.

Lan Anh