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Vietnam Airlines opens ticket sales for upcoming Tet Holiday

by en.vietnamplus.vn Leave a Comment

Vietnam Airlines opens ticket sales for upcoming Tet Holiday hinh anh 1 Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam Airlines Group , which manages Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and VASCO, has opened ticket sales for Lunar New Year (Tet) Holiday in the period from January 6 to February 5, 2023.

Tickets have been available on Vietnam Airlines’ website, mobile app and official ticket offices and agents nationwide from August 15.

Along with domestic flights, the carrier will increase flights connecting Vietnam and Asian countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, and those between Vietnam and Australia.

It plans to double its international flight number in the period amid the loosening migration regulations in many countries and territories.

On the occasion, Vietnam Airlines offers special ticket fare from 1.86 million VND (79.48 USD) per leg, including taxes and fees, for business class; and 785,000 VND per leg, including taxes and fees, for economy class.

The promotion is applicable for flights from January 14 to February 5, 2023./.

VNA

Vietnam airlines opens ticket sales for upcoming Tet Holiday

by en.qdnd.vn Leave a Comment

Tickets have been available on Vietnam Airlines’ website, mobile app and official ticket offices and agents nationwide from August 15.

Along with domestic flights, the carrier will increase flights connecting Vietnam and Asian countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, and those between Vietnam and Australia.

It plans to double its international flight number in the period amid the loosening migration regulations in many countries and territories.

On the occasion, Vietnam Airlines offers special ticket fare from 1.86 million VND (79.48 USD) per leg, including taxes and fees, for business class; and 785,000 VND per leg, including taxes and fees, for economy class.

The promotion is applicable for flights from January 14 to February 5, 2023.

Source: VNA

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Transportation Dept. Proposes New Rule to Ease Air Travel Chaos for Passengers

by www.nytimes.com Leave a Comment

Amid an infuriating summer for air travel, the Department of Transportation is proposing changes to federal policy that guide flight refunds, providing more recourse for passengers when airlines cancel flights or significantly alter a flight’s schedule, route or seat categories.

The rule, which the agency will decide on after a 90-day public comment period closes, would also require U.S. carriers that received pandemic aid to issue a full refund if a passenger chooses not to travel because of certain coronavirus-related factors, such as a country shutting down to nonessential travel.

“This new proposed rule would protect the rights of travelers and help ensure they get the timely refunds they deserve from the airlines,” said Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, in a statement on Wednesday announcing the proposal.

Under the current Department of Transportation policy, airlines are already supposed to reimburse passengers for flights that have been canceled or “significantly changed.” But carriers have been accused of exploiting both the ambiguity around the term “significantly changed” and the fact that many air travelers do not know that they are entitled to refunds, instead of credits, for canceled flights.

The proposed policy defines “significantly changed” as a three-hour delay for a domestic flight and a six-hour delay for an international flight. The new rule would also entitle passengers to full refunds for any switch in the departure or destination airport, the addition of a layover or a change in aircraft that causes a significant downgrade in seat class. This week, several Democratic senators, including Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, both of Massachusetts, introduced a bill with similar protections .

Read More on the Coronavirus Pandemic

Air travel for many has been frustrating throughout the pandemic, but over the past year the number of delays and cancellations has increased, affecting thousands of passengers eager to travel after two years of restrictions and closures.

Around 20 percent of flights on U.S. carriers have been delayed this year, 6 percent more than the airlines’ performance over the previous two years, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking company. On high-travel weekends, airlines have canceled flights four times as often as they did in 2019.

Many stranded or delayed travelers have complained about the tortuous process required to obtain refunds.

“It’s theft, basically,” said Kathryn T. Jones, 64, a nonprofit grant writer from Austin, Texas, who says she’s fed up with airlines altering flights without offering adequate compensation.

In June, United Airlines notified Ms. Jones that her layover at Newark Liberty International Airport, for a September flight from Austin to Dublin, had changed. When she looked at her itinerary, she discovered that the aircraft on the Newark-to-Dublin leg had also been changed and no longer contained premium economy seats, an upgrade she had paid extra for in order to sit near fewer people. When she tried to get a refund in order to purchase a seat on another airline, she said, the airline told her that she could only receive a credit. That policy would change under the new rule.

“I think it’s absolutely necessary,” Ms. Jones said of the proposed rule clarifying when airlines would be required to issue refunds.

The Department of Transportation proposal also requires airlines that received significant federal assistance early in the pandemic, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and United, to issue full refunds when passengers cannot fly for certain virus-related reasons . All airlines would be required, at the minimum, to provide vouchers that do not expire when travelers cannot fly for the pandemic-related reasons outlined under the proposal.

On Aug. 22, the Department of Transportation will hold an online public meeting to discuss the proposed changes.

Spurring Growth: Fare cap withdrawal to give aviation wings, says DGCA chief

by www.moneycontrol.com Leave a Comment

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation forecasts a boost for air traffic in India in the coming months as the upcoming festive season and the withdrawal of caps of fares from August-end are set to provide a much-needed boost to the pandemic-battered sector.

The aviation regulator also said there was no need for panic or anxiety with regard to recent snags reported by some domestic airlines and said that “safety is non-negotiable”.

The Central government, heeding a call by Indian carriers, ordered the withdrawal of limits imposed on airfares, a practice that started soon after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

DGCA Director General Arun Kumar said the withdrawal of these caps will allow airlines to offer lower fares and attract more passengers.

“The fare band withdrawal is a major step to boost the industry,” Kumar told Moneycontrol in an interview. “High jet fuel costs as well as the pandemic slowed the growth of passenger traffic. However, steps like these will nudge passenger traffic growth, encourage airlines to offer competitive fares, and incentivise passengers. But all this is contingent on the premise that there are no new Covid waves.”

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High air fares on the back of a surge in jet fuel costs have dampened demand during the traditionally weak travel season. Consequently, the daily passenger count hovers around an average of 335,000, a number that’s expected to touch 390,000-400,000 in the coming period.

Passenger traffic stood at 10.5 million in June, lower than 12 million recorded in May, 11 million in April, and 10.6 million in March. July passenger traffic numbers are expected next week.

Pandemic measure

India regulated airfares to protect both passengers and airlines from the aftermath of the pandemic. An unprecedented surge in pent-up demand and more recently, jet fuel prices, were cited as the main reasons for implementing the system.

The setting of upper and lower airfare limits was introduced in May 2020, after the first national lockdown. Notably, the Centre imposed limits on airfares based on flight duration and these curbs were applicable for a 15-day period.

In its revocation order, the ministry of civil aviation said: “After review of the current status of scheduled domestic operations vis-à-vis passenger demand for air travel… it has been decided to remove the fare bands notified from time to time regarding airfares with effect from August 31, 2022.”

Domestic carriers had started to clamour for removal of the fare caps. Airline executives argued that the system hindered the application of market-driven fares and pointed out their inability to pass on high jet fuel prices or offer sales.

Kumar pointed out that the pandemic had slowed the growth rate of passenger addition.

“If the pandemic hadn’t hit, the overall per day numbers would have been close to 4.5 lakh,” he said. “This means we are still behind the pre-Covid growth curve.”

The DGCA chief said all airlines are adhering to standard operating systems for safe operations. If a lapse comes to notice, enforcement action is taken, Kumar said.

“Safety is non-negotiable and all stakeholders are supposed to carry out their assigned roles,” he said.

Routine snags

Talking of some recent incidents involving Indian carriers, he said these were routine snags and should not cause “panic or anxiety.”

“All that is needed is a proper response as per the manuals available to the flight crew,” he added. “A ‘reject take off’ or an air turnback if the weather radar is dysfunctional or TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system) is not working or if the pilot experiences vibrations in the engine for some reason should not unsettle us. We should remember that these are routine events and do keep happening to all airlines across the world.”

Apart from physical inspections, the DGCA has kept an eye on the impact of financial strain on airlines’ operations. Under its financial assessment code, the DGCA routinely checks the availability of necessary spares and technical staffing.

“We are mostly concerned with the airlines’ ability to afford spares, technical manpower and to properly follow-up with safety checks,” Kumar said.

According to Kumar, the DGCA is expanding and aggressively hiring, even from the private sector.

“We plan to hire 100-150 professionals in the next few months.” he said.

Currently, the DGCA has a strength of 1,300 personnel.

Turbulence In The Skies As Air Travel Complaints Surge: What To Know

by patch.com Leave a Comment

Travel

Cancellations, lost luggage and other complaints mount amid staffing shortages that could continue through Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Beth Dalbey's profile picture

Beth Dalbey , Patch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

ACROSS AMERICA — With just over a month remaining before Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer, many Americans are scheduling getaways before fall arrives.

Getting to their destinations by air without some kind of complication could be tricky as the airline industry struggles to return to normal with the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions and pent-up demand for travel.

That’s despite higher fares, persistent inflation and increasing interest rates — and despite an increase in traveler complaints . Complaints were 200 percent over pre-pandemic levels in May, but down 15 percent from April, when complaints were 300 percent over pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest data available in the July U.S. Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report.

It’s a good tool to use while planning travel, providing a snapshot of airlines’ and airports’ records on getting people and their luggage to their destinations on time.

Hawaiian Airlines had the best on-time arrival rate in the country in May, with 86 percent of its flights arriving on time, according to the report released last month. The on-time records of other carriers and their branded partners:

  • Delta Air Lines network: 80.7 percent
  • Alaska Airlines network: 80.2 percent
  • American Airlines network: 77.4 percent
  • United Airlines network: 77.4 percent
  • Southwest Airlines: 76.8 percent
  • JetBlue Airways: 69.4 percent
  • Spirit Airlines: 68.8 percent
  • Allegiant Air: 66.0 percent
  • Frontier Airlines: 64.6 percent

The report also shows different airlines’ records on luggage handling. Among major airlines, American Airlines and its affiliated carriers had the worst baggage handling rate, at 0.79 percent of every 100 bags checked in May. United Airlines and its partners had a rate of 0.63 percent, and Delta Air Lines and its partners had a rate of 0.52.

Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines canceled the lowest number of flights in May, at 0.1 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively. United and its affiliates canceled 2.4 percent of flights, and the Delta group canceled 2.7 percent of flights that month.

Bumpy Summer Travel

It’s important to keep in mind that actual traveler experiences in June and July aren’t reflected in the DOT’s consumer reports. Travelers have faced deep lines, longer layovers and lost luggage this summer, with airline and airport staff shortages most often cited as the reason, according to Business Insider. It’s also important to remember that travel volume in May 2021 wasn’t near 2022 levels.

Americans’ experiences over the last holiday travel weekend — the 4th of July — aren’t reassuring. Airlines canceled more than 1,100 flights , a quarter of them United Airline, which said in a message to staff that more flights were scheduled than the air traffic control system could handle, Reuters reported.

The Federal Aviation administration disputed that, saying “there were no FAA staffing-related delays at all” July 3-4, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has said that air traffic control staffing issues don’t explain the majority of delays and cancellations.

Days earlier, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, asked Buttigieg to fine airlines $55,000 per passenger for each flight cancellation they knew couldn’t be fully staffed.

The widespread cancellations “left passengers and crew members stranded at crowded airports from one end of the country to the other, forcing them to miss weddings, funerals and business meetings, and ruining family vacations that have been planned for months,” Sanders wrote.

Travel difficulties could continue through Thanksgiving and Christmas, Buttigieg told the Deseret News Friday during a visit to Utah.

“It’s going to take a while for the pilot workforce to be back up to pre-COVID levels,” he said. “I don’t think this is going to be resolved overnight.”

There are some signs things are returning to normal, Buttigieg told the Deseret News, with cancellation rates around 2 percent now, down from 3 percent and 4 percent in the early spring.

As confounding as the last couple of months have been, the problems encountered in May were about on par with pre-pandemic levels, according to the DOT consumer complaints report.

Overall in May, airlines canceled about 2 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, about the same number as in pre-pandemic 2019. The on-time arrival rates in May 2022 (77.2 percent) and May 2019 (77.2 percent) were similar, too.

Some industry analysts say bouncing back from the pandemic exacerbated already existing staff shortages. Globally, there were 2.3 million fewer people employed in aviation in September 2021 than at the beginning of the pandemic, according to an Oxford Economics study.

“Now that you’re coming out of COVID, and the demand is actually showing sings of rapid recovery, you’re starting to see that they have fewer pilots and the same amount of flying to do,” Umang Gupta of Alton Aviation, a consulting company, told Business Insider.

What Can You Do?

Educate yourself . The DOT’s consumer complaints report provides a good snapshot of airlines’ and airports’ records on getting people and their luggage to their destinations on time.

When booking, fly direct if you can, and if you can’t, a one-hour layoff isn’t enough , a flight attendant wrote earlier this summer in The New York Times. Fly early in the day if possible.

Make sure you’ve downloaded the airline’s app ahead of time. Check the FlightAware tracking data site to make sure your flight or one you’re meeting is on time. Get to the airport early and avoid checking bags if possible. Don’t over pack your carry-on luggage to the point you hold up boarding trying to figure out how to fit it in the overhead bin.

If your flight is canceled, know your rights . Airlines may offer points or miles, but “you’re entitled to a cash refund when your flight is canceled,” Buttigieg tweeted. “When deciding whether to accept miles, it’s helpful to know their value, which varies, but often is estimated at 1 to 1.5 cents per mile.”

The DOT’s Consumer Guide to Air Travel has more detailed information.

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