The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has ordered all airports to start preparations for the reopening of commercial flights across the country.

Measures must be taken to ensure passenger safety and security including COVID-19 quick tests, well-ventilated holding areas and transport solutions in line with social distancing rules.

"Safe distancing must be observed at ticket counters, lounges and on transport vehicles at all times in line with regulations set by the Ministry of Health. Airport workers who show symptoms related to COVID-19 must be put in quarantine immediately," said CAAV deputy head Pham Van Hao.

Airlines were asked to provide airport authorities with a full flight manifest half an hour before departure with detailed information on their intended destinations.

"Airport authorities must work with local governments to make preparations to receive the passengers upon disembarkation," Hao said.

At the beginning of the reopening phase from October 10-20, CAAV has assigned Vietnam Airlines to be the operator of the Ha Noi-HCM City, HCM City-Rach Gia, Thanh Hoa-Lam Dong and HCM City-Ca Mau routes.

Vietjet Air will operate HCM City-Gia Lai and Da Nang-Can Tho. Bamboo Airways will operate Da Nang-Dak Lak and Ha Noi-Dien Bien.

For the time being, airlines can only operate one flight a day on said routes.

Passengers were asked to provide certificates of vaccination against COVID-19 with two shots administered and the last shot taken at least 14 days ago, vaccine pass on PC-COVID mobile app, a medical record for COVID-19 recovery within the last six months or a negative result using RT-PCR test within the last 72 hours.

Passengers who fly from HCM City to Ha Noi will be subject to 7-day quarantine in either government quarantine centres or designated hotels. They are expected to cover quarantine costs and to continue self-isolation at home for another seven days after mandatory quarantine time is over.

Passengers who fly from Da Nang to Ha Noi may self-isolate at home for two weeks with two mandatory COVID-19 tests, one taken on the first day upon arrival and another the sixth day.

Even with strict social distancing rules in place, airlines have reported flights were almost fully booked, especially on popular routes such as Ha Noi-HCM City, HCM City-Thanh Hoa and HCM City-Hue.

"Flights to Ha Noi, HCM City, Thanh Hoa and Hue have been almost fully booked for the next three days while other flights have seen more and more bookings in the last 24 hours," said a Vietnam Airlines' representative yesterday.

The airlines urged passengers to book early due to the limited number of tickets available and strictly follow the Ministry of Health's anti-COVID-19 guidance. — VNS