It seems unlikely that airfares will be lowered in 2009, despite lower purchasing power and the 10% air fuel import tax decrease.

And the answer is – not likely. Experts believe that airfare discounts will only be available for those who travel under the ‘Impressive Vietnam’ programme.

Airfares to remain high

Jetstar Pacific has affirmed that it still has a lot of tickets for flights during the April 30 – May 1 holiday; however, it has advised passengers to draw up travel plans right now, as they can get cheaper airfares if they book tickets soon, according to the airline.

Meanwhile, an official from Vietnam Airlines, the national flag air carrier, has said that the air carrier is considering applying a promotion programme for the May 1 holiday, and that the information for the programme would be announced in a week or two.

However, an expert has affirmed that airfares are not likely to decrease in the time to come. The current expenses airlines have to pay to run flights have climbed to VND1.1-1.2mil on average, which means that the seat occupancy needs to be 75-80% for airlines to break even.

Moreover, the expert said, airfare discounts normally occur in low flight season; meanwhile, April 30 – May 1 holiday proves to be the high season, which has made airlines think of providing more flights.

Airfare discounts applied to travellers in tours only

Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Head of Sales Development Division under Vietnam Airlines, said that besides the 30-50% airfare reductions applied for clients of the ‘Impressive Vietnam’ programme, the airline has been cooperating with travel firms to build up programmes on tour fee reductions for the firms’ clients.

Most recently, the airline has decided to slash the airfare from VND1.7mil to VND1.4mil for people flying from Hanoi to Cuu Long River Delta who are members of tours.

Besides France and West Europe, Vietnam Airlines is working with travel firms to negotiate airfares on tours to Australia, New Zealand and ASEAN countries.

General Director of Vietravel Nguyen Quoc Ky said that tour fees have been lowered since the airfares of domestic flights have decreased. Currently, Vietnam Airlines is selling a return ticket on the HCM City-Hanoi route to Vietravel for VND2.6mil only, instead of the maximum level of VND3.4mil.

A staff of Vietnamtourism in Hanoi has also revealed that the firm plans to sell tours from Hanoi to Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, and Quang Binh next week which are VND1-2mil lower than the normal levels.

Ha Yen