HÀ NỘI —The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has asked Vietnamese airlines to draw up plans to restore, maintain and expand their domestic route networks.

The aim is to increase air transport’s contribution to socio-economic development and tourism, improve regional connectivity and make better use of existing aviation infrastructure.

In a letter to the airlines, CAAV director general Uông Việt Dũng said airports nationwide had benefited from investment in upgrades, renovation, expansion and modernisation in recent years.

This progress was made possible by the leadership and guidance of the Party, the National Assembly and the Government, alongside the active involvement of investors, airport operators and local authorities.

Many aviation infrastructure projects have been completed or are under way, increasing capacity and supporting the expansion of route networks and air services.

Dũng said air transport played an important role in connecting localities and economic regions, promoting trade, attracting investment, developing tourism and meeting people’s travel needs.

Restoring and developing domestic routes, he said, would help maximise the benefits of investment in aviation infrastructure.

Vietnamese airlines should conduct a comprehensive review of existing and temporarily suspended domestic routes. They should assess the feasibility of restoring services on routes with strong market potential, sufficient passenger demand, opportunities to support trade and tourism, and suitable operating conditions.

They should also consider increasing flight frequencies on existing routes to better meet demand from residents and tourists.

Airlines should explore new direct routes between localities, particularly those connecting major economic regions and tourism centres. These routes would improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time and costs, and support local socio-economic development.

Vietnamese airlines should work closely with airport operators and aviation service providers to prepare for these services, gradually increase passenger and cargo volumes and maximise the benefits of investment in aviation infrastructure.

They should also coordinate with local authorities, airport operators, tourism businesses, travel companies and relevant agencies to assess market demand. This cooperation should include joint promotional and destination marketing programmes, better tourism products and transport connections, and measures to stimulate demand for air travel.

Airlines should explore cooperation and support arrangements for route development that comply with the law and balance the interests of the State, localities, businesses and the public.

The CAAV has asked airlines to submit detailed plans by November 10, specifying which routes they propose to restore or launch and where they intend to increase flight frequencies, along with implementation schedules for the remainder of this year and next year.

The plans must include market demand assessments, aircraft deployment plans and assessments of the long-term viability of the proposed services. They should also identify potential difficulties and set out proposals for infrastructure, aviation services, coordination with local authorities and measures to support route development. — VNS