Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son on Thursday chaired a working session on the organisation of welcoming the first international commercial flights back to Da Nang after the temporary suspension due to the COVID-19 impacts.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son delivers a speech at the meeting, February 17, 2022. Photo: MAI QUE.

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, up to now, nine airlines have planned to reopen 10 direct international routes to Da Nang.

Specifically, Singapore - Da Nang operated by Singapore Airlines and Bangkok (Thailand)- Da Nang by Thai Vietjet are slated to reopen on March 27.

In the morning of March 27, jointly organised by the Department of Tourism and Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT), three programmes will take place at the Da Nang airport’s international terminal, including ceremonies to resume  international air services at 8:00a.m, and welcome the flights from Singapore and Bangkok at 11:00a.m. and at 11:30a.m., respectively.

It is known that passegers onboard flight SQ172 from Singapore are members of the delegation of Informa, the organiser of the Routes Asia 2022 whilst flight VZ960 from Bangkok will bring more than 50 Thai passengers to Da Nang and other localities in Central Viet Nam in a bid to immediately activate the exchange of the tourism market.

In addition, the coming time will see the resumption of some other international flights to Da Nang such as Kuala Lumpur - Da Nang and Bangkok - Da Nang, both operated by Air Asia on April 1, Jetstar Asia-operated Singapore - Da Nang on April 10, Viet Nam Airlines-run Singapore - Da Nang on April 15, Incheon (RoK) - Da Nang by Vietjet Air, Jeju Air and Jin Air in April

Especially, a new air service connecting Da Nang with New Delhi (India) operated by Vietjet Air will be launched in September 2022 to open up a new international market for the Da Nang tourism.

At Thursday’s meeting, a representative of Thai Vietjet said that the carrier had submitted a number of proposals to the municipal Department of Tourism.

Specifically, in addition to free admission to some local tourist attractions throughout 2022 as approved the municipal administration, it is proposed that private tourist areas, Sun World Ba Na Hills for instance, should offer services at more preferential prices for international delegations to stimulate travel demand.

The resumption of the Singapore - Da Nang flight on March 27 will open up opportunities for Da Nang to lure international tourists back. Photo: The Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, the city is working closely with Informa Routes, the U.K and IPP Group to host the Routes Asia 2022 in June.

By late 2022, Da Nang targets to restore the aviation industry like the pre-pandemic time  with the resumption of 31 international routes, especially the re-operation of the non-stop Da Nang-Doha service, operated by Qatar Airways, with the aim of helping the central Vietnamese city easily connect with business and leisure destinations in the Middle East, Western Europe and North America.

Besides, the Da Nang Department of Tourism will continue to promote the opening of new routes as previously planned such as those linking Da Nang to Jakarta (Indonesia) and Cebu (Philippines), thus helping this Vietnamese hub of tourism connect with foreign centres of finance, commerce and tourism.

AHT is making preparations in terms of technical and logistical activities to welcome the above-mentioned international commercial flights on March 27. The enterprise also proposed the city to organize a hot air balloon festival in the  coming time, which is expected to be held over Bach Dang Street.

Reporting by MAI QUE – Translating by A.THU