Brian Jeffrey
Airlines Gear Up for Increased Travel During Tet 2025
To accommodate the rising travel demand for the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025, airlines are stepping up their services by introducing additional leased aircraft and increasing the number of available seats.
Vietnam Airlines announced it has secured three extra Airbus A320 aircraft for use from January 13 to February 12.
This wet-lease deal, which includes onboard crew, has seen two planes arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport on January 10, while the last one is due on January 13.
Each of these aircraft can carry 180 passengers and will serve essential routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City to major cities like Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, and Chu Lai.
These aircraft will add approximately 75,000 seats, equating to over 400 flights throughout the Tet holiday.
As part of its preparation for Tet, Vietnam Airlines plans to offer over 2.15 million seats with around 11,000 domestic flights, ensuring there is enough capacity for travelers returning home or enjoying a vacation.
In December 2024, the airline also welcomed three new aircraft, including two Airbus A320neo and one Boeing 787-10.
With the addition of the wet-leased A320s, Vietnam Airlines will operate a fleet of more than 100 planes to meet the passenger demand for Tet 2025.
Vietjet Air is also expanding its fleet, with four new wet-leased aircraft being introduced at the start of 2025 to handle the peak holiday period.
The newly leased planes began service on both domestic and international routes starting from January 8.
High-demand routes connecting northern and southern Vietnam, as well as popular holiday destinations, have been prioritized for these flights.
By the close of 2024, Vietjet had enhanced its fleet by adding ten modern aircraft, bringing its total to 115 planes that operate over 170 domestic and international routes.
High Demand Leads to Full Flights
As per the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, many domestic flights for Tet have already seen booking levels reaching between 90% and 100%.
The introduction of new planes is expected to improve airline capacity and provide travelers with more options during the holiday season.
To ensure a seamless travel experience, airlines recommend that passengers keep an eye on flight schedules, check in online, arrive at the airport on time, and adhere to baggage size and weight limits.
Staff levels at major airports have also been increased to support the surge in holiday travelers and to maintain a high standard of service.
