This afternoon (November 30), the Ministry of Transport (MOT) held a meeting with relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, airlines, and airport operators to discuss the difficulties and solutions for resuming international flight operations.
Opening the meeting, a leader of the MOT stated that the Covid-19 outbreak since early 2020 has severely affected the civil aviation industry, especially international passenger air transport.
In the context where many countries around the world in general, and Vietnam in particular, have shifted to implementing a policy of flexible adaptation to the Covid-19 pandemic, the early resumption of regular international aviation operations is necessary. This will not only help resolve difficulties for aviation enterprises and serve passenger travel demand but also contribute to the recovery of international tourism and other economic sectors.
At the meeting, a representative from the leadership of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) reported on the plan to resume international flights. Accordingly, on November 8, 2021, the MOT sent Document No. 11818/BGTVT-HTQT to the Prime Minister regarding the Plan to resume regular international commercial flights. Currently, the Government is seeking opinions from relevant ministries, sectors, and localities on this plan. To date, the Vietnamese aviation industry and aviation enterprises are ready and eager to resume international operations soon.
Passengers on the first pilot flight welcoming international tourists to Vietnam on the afternoon of November 17
Also at the meeting, representatives of airlines (Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, etc.) reported their difficulties and obstacles, expressing their desire to resume regular international commercial flights soon. At the same time, they proposed recommendations regarding medical quarantine to ensure the feasibility of resuming regular international operations.
In addition, delegates attending the meeting agreed that the resumption of international air routes should be implemented based on the principle of reciprocity with other countries and territories through negotiations on the mutual recognition of "vaccine passports."
A representative of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) stated that the enterprise is ready with the necessary conditions regarding facilities, epidemiological hygiene, and safety at airports to serve the resumption of regular international flights. Simultaneously, the representative proposed that competent authorities should research a unified medical declaration application to facilitate citizens, businesses, and management agencies.
Based on the proposals from the airlines and ACV, MOT leaders stated that the Ministry will coordinate with leading ministries and sectors to implement related tasks and promptly report to the Government regarding the difficulties and proposed solutions of the aviation enterprises.
Source: Discussing solutions to resume international flight operations