Vietnamese airlines expects international routes will be reopened soon (Photo: Vietnamplus) In the context that Covid-19 is decreasing and vaccination has been deployed in many countries, “vaccine passport” has been warmly welcomed by many domestic and foreign agencies and businesses.
It is forecast that electronic health passport applications will become a global trend, helping countries to relax travel restriction as well as bringing the aviation industry back to its normal stage soon, promoting trade and economic development on the basis of ensuring disease safety.
In Vietnam, domestic flights have been active again. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has directed relevant ministries to conduct research and put into use "vaccine passport" and gradually reopen international flights.
According to Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Aviation Business Association (VABA) Bui Doan Ne, the State needs to promote tourism products, enhancing tourism experiences on the spot in an attempt to help domestic and foreign tourists learn about culture and tourism in regions of Vietnam during their quarantine period.
The government will also gradually reopen and resume international flights, accepting vaccinated foreign tourists to enter Vietnam, especially guests from countries with potential tourism markets which have controlled the pandemic such as Europe, Australia, China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, among others.
An executive of Bamboo Ailines, which has aimed to open direct flights to the US in the fourth quarter of 2021, predicted that vaccination will create a "boom" in the aviation industry by the end of this year. Bamboo Airways has planned to expand its fleet from 29 to 40 aircrafts in the same year.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Vietnam Airlines affirmed that it is ready to coordinate with relevant authorities to conduct research, develop and put "vaccine passport" into use on a trial basis under a roadmap to gradually reopen international flights.
During the suspension of regular international routes, the national airline still maintains regular operations on international flights to repatriate citizens, transport goods and carry passengers on one-way route from Vietnam to foreign destinations.
Vietnam Airlines will also closely monitor current development of the pandemic and market situation to introduce plans to re-operate international flights. The airlines will also keep a close watch on different markets to introduce reoperating plans, serving demand of passengers under approval of authorized bodies.
According to a representative of Vietnam Airlines, existing experiences and capabilities are important conditions for the airline and authorized units to evaluate effectiveness of 'vaccine passport' and reopen international routes safely, meeting travel demand of passengers as well as contributing to developing the country’s economy and tourism.
As health and safety of employees are considered to be Vietnam Airlines’ top priority, the national flag carrier has targeted to complete necessary procedures as soon as possible to vaccinate all their staff and their family members.
At the same time, Vietnam Airlines will bear all the costs of vaccination for all of its employees. For employees’ family members, Vietnam Airlines will also provide maximum support in procedures to help them in vaccination.
Recently, International Aviation Association (IATA) has officially asked Vietnam Airlines to participate in a global trial of an electronic health passport application (IATA Travel Pass), helping to determine requirements of each country for passengers during COVID-1.
Alexandre de Juniac, General Director of IATA, said the successful implementation of IATA Travel Pass is an obvious proof that technology can help passengers and governments manage medical-travel information in a safe, convenient and effective way. This is an important foundation for international aviation operations to rebound./.
