Hosting Routes Asia 2022 in June will offer great opportunities for Da Nang to resume international flights, which in turn spurring international trade and resuming international tourism.

The resumption of international air routes will help promote trade and tourism activities in Da Nang. IN THE PHOTO: Visitors arriving at the Da Nang Airport. Photo: THU HA

Routes Asia will provide a golden opportunity for Da Nang to promote inbound tourism opportunities and drive the socio-economic growth for the city. By hosting the event, the city will proactively position it as a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, logistics, finance and culture.

Viet Nam closed its borders and grounded all regular international flights in March 2020, only allowing in its nationals and foreign experts, investors and highly skilled workers coming by special flights.

Da Nang International Airport has a capacity of 12 million passengers along with modern facilities and considerate customer services. In 2019, the airport welcomed over 30 airlines operating 40 routes to/from 11 Asian countries and territories. 

Currently, a total of 8 domestic routes are being operated in Da Nang with a frequency of 200 flights per week. Data published by the Da Nang Statistics Bureau shows that arrivals at accommodation establishments in the city in 2021 stood at 1.17 million, a decrease of 55.8% compared to 2020.  Revenues from accommodation services and travel reached 2,554 billion, down by 36.6% compared to 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, the Deputy Sales Manager at the Da Nang International Airport said that in its efforts to gradually welcome international guests back to Da Nang, the Da Nang Airport has focused on expanding an aircraft apron and building a new cargo terminal with a capacity of 100,000 - 150,000 tons per year which are scheduled to be completed and put into operation in 2024, as well as expanding T1 passenger terminal in order to be able to handle 14 million passengers per year that is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2025.

In addition, the Da Nang Airport also has issued preference policies that benefit airlines to open new routes linking with Da Nang, such as offering 10-50% reduction in air service unit prices for airlines operating international flights, reducing air service fees during off-peak hours, supporting the organisation of events to welcome new flights, promoting the brand for their partners, offering discounts on baggage handling systems at the airport, including check-in, belt or tray conveyor systems.

A corner of the Da Nang International Airport. Photo: THU HA

Mr Nguyen Quang Trung, an official from Vietnam Airlines said that air passenger market is forecast to recover quickly from the COVID-19 crisis, and the recovery in short haul travel is still expected to happen faster than for long haul travel. This will open up huge opportunities for Da Nang's tourism industry. ​​Initially, Da Nang will welcome domestic tourists back, and then lure international visitors from Asian countries along with Europe, North America, and Australia afterwards.

Mr. Trung said Da Nang boasts a number of advantages with the expansion of the airport, numerous airlines operating international flights connecting the city with worldwide destinations, along with good tourism infrastructure. Therefore, Vietnam Airlines also plans to quickly resume domestic flights linking Da Nang with Vietnamese localities.  

As for the international travel, the focus will be on resuming international flights connecting Da Nang with such global destinations as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China), China, Southeast Asia, and elsewhere in Asia, Europe and Australia. The heed will be paid on gradually developing the Da Nang Airport into an aviation hub in Viet Nam and the region, after Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

From the third quarter of 2022, Vietnam Airlines will restore international flights between Da Nang to Northeast Asia, and operate charter flights from Da Nang to Chinese destinations. In the fourth quarter of 2022, international flights from Da Nang to Southeast Asia will be restored.

Mr. Trung also highlighted the need to ensure safe resumption of international flights, promote Da Nang as a safe, friendly and attractive destination, pushing an internationally-recognized vaccine passport in an effort to get travel off the ground again, provide the guidance for overseas travellers.

Mr Ho Thanh Tu, the General Secretary of the Da Nang Tourism Association, remarked that international airline passengers help to generate the primary source of revenue for Da Nang’s tourism industry in order to drive its sustainable development.

He underscored the importance of developing new attractive tourism products in luring international travellers after COVID-19.  Attention must be given to providing practical support for tourism businesses, putting in place strict health and safe measures at serviced accommodation services and tourist attractions in order to ensure the safety of international guests during their stay in the city. In addition, the municipal government should release guidelines for international arrivals in a simple and understandable way.

Reporting by THU HA – translating by H.L