After an unexpected paused in aviation due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Van Don International Airport (VDO) in the northern province of Quang Ninh is ready to resume operation of domestic passenger flights from May 4.

VietJet Air (VJ), a local budget carrier, will operate with one daily flight from Van Don to Ho Chi Minh City from May 4. Vietnam Airlines (VN), the national flag carrier, will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on the same route. Bamboo Airways (QH) is scheduled to offer one daily flight from June 1.

Vietnam Airlines (VN) will also operate one more domestic route between Van Don and the central city of Danang from May 16 with three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

In addition, the airport is working on a plan to launch another domestic route linking Van Don with Phu Quoc or Nha Trang in the last quarter of this year.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Sau, Director of the Van Don Airport, said that the airport will coordinate closely with Quang Ninh authorities in implementing tourism promotion campaigns and flight expansion so that the airport can become an important gateway to connect and speed up socio-economic development of the province, the northeast region and the whole country.

He also informed that the airport has reduced 50 per cent of ground service fees for international flights and 70 per cent for domestic flights. This incentive will be applied until the end of this year.

Moreover, Van Don Airport still applies safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.  Passengers are required to wear a face mask, use hand wash and have temperature checks. Speakers are used to instruct them to comply with the safety regulations.