Ministry of Transport Proposes Re-open International Flight Routes From Dec.15. (Photo: VNA)

On December 7th, the Ministry of Transport submitted to the government a plan to reopen nine international flight routes.

According to the plan, the work will be done in two phases. The first involves flight routes to countries of high safety in terms of pandemic protection, including Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (Korea), Taipei (Taiwan, China), Bangkok (Thailand), Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), San Francisco or Los Angeles (USA).

These are the markets with important political and economic cooperation relations with Vietnam. The above countries are homes to many investors, experts, and laborers looking for work opportunities in Vietnam. In addition, Vietnamese citizens in these areas have a high demand for repatriation.

Compared to a month ago, the proposed international routes for the first phase have decreased by 6. Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports are looking to receive the flights. The ministry asked to allow the operation of 4 flights per week per way for each route, which brings a total of 14,000 international customers to Vietnam per week.

Phase two will take place from January 1, 2022, as seven other routes will be added to the list, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Sydney (Australia), Moscow (Russia). Other than Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat, airports of Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa province), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province), and Van Don (Quang Ninh province) are planned to welcome international flights.

All international flights from Vietnam are allowed to carry passengers and goods from the end of March 2020. However, flights to Vietnam can only carry goods. (Photo: Zing)

In the second stage, which will take place in January, the frequency of flights rises to 7 per week for each way of a route. The total number of visitors is expected to be 40,000.

To ensure success, Ministry of Transport suggested that the Prime Minister assign other ministries to coordinate. Namely, the Ministry of Health is asked to declare the conditions and time for exemption from isolation for people entering Vietnam. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should host the negotiation with other countries and territories on mutual recognition of "vaccine passports" with priority given to countries and territories mentioned above.

The Ministry of Transport also asked that the government assign the ministries of health, public security, information and communications to soon publish a medical declaration application that is applicable to air travel, which helps trace people on entry and create favorable conditions for flight enterprises.

The demand for repatriation of Vietnamese overseas continues to increase, especially as the new year and Tet is coming. Besides, many foreigners have the demand for entering Vietnam for working, investment, and tourism. Therefore, it is necessary to restore regular international flights, together with promoting the recovery of international tourism and economy.

The Ministry of Transport made a proposal to the Government on a three-phase plan to open international routes in early November. Phase 1, expected to take place from the first quarter of 2022, opens routes to 15 markets. Passengers who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 have to be isolated for seven days in concentrated facilities. Those who have not been vaccinated have to be isolated for 14 days. Passengers will have to cover the isolation fee.

Phase 2 is expected to be implemented from the second quarter of 2022. In this stage, passengers who have vaccine passports will not be to be concentratedly isolated. Phase 3, which takes place from the third quarter of 2022, will allow airline brands to operate regular international flights with a frequency according to their needs.

All international flights from Vietnam are allowed to carry passengers and goods from the end of March 2020. However, flights to Vietnam can only carry goods. Passengers entering Vietnam through aviation must have written consent from the authorities and undergo medical isolation for 14 days or 7 days.

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