The IATA Travel Pass electronic health passport can be considered as the key to opening the border, facilitating passengers to travel smoothly between countries. (Photo: provided by Vietnam Airlines) Vietnam Airlines became the first airline in Vietnam to sign an agreement with the International Aviation Association (IATA) to test the electronic health passport application (IATA Travel Pass) today (May 31). . This can be considered as the key to opening the border, creating favorable conditions for passengers to travel between countries and meeting all entry requirements of authorities and governments at the destination. IATA will support and coordinate closely with Vietnam Airlines throughout the test run. IATA and Vietnam Airlines will start testing in June. This process includes selected passengers to download the free IATA Travel Pass app to their mobile phones, create a digital profile with their photo and passport information, and fill in their flight details to gain access. Update on epidemiological requirements at destination. Before departure, passengers must make an appointment and go to a COVID-19 test or vaccination facility at a government-designated facility registered with IATA, then share the results electronically and confirm Get flight status with the airline before starting your journey. The application helps airlines and authorities check the validity of certificates and easily identify passengers. All this information is confidential and is only shared with the passenger’s permission. IATA Travel Pass integrates some leading digital solutions such as contactless travel, biometric data, electronic health certificates such as test results, COVID-19 vaccination, especially convenient and effective. when possible to replace the current types of paper procedures. This is a secure application that ensures consistent information between parties including government, testing facilities, airlines and passengers. According to Mr. Le Hong Ha, General Director of Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam Airlines became the pioneer airline in Vietnam to test the IATA Travel Pass, creating a big step forward for its passengers and for the domestic aviation industry. Believing that Vietnam Airlines’ ability to accelerate digital transformation along with IATA’s extensive expertise in the aviation field will bring certain successes after this test, Mr. Ha said that the solution electronic health passport such as the IATA Travel Pass should be widely authorized and recognized by governments, helping to quickly restore routine international passenger transport. “The most important goal is to restore passenger confidence when traveling and ensure a safe and seamless travel experience for everyone,” emphasized the Vietnam Airlines CEO. Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, Passenger, Cargo and Security said: “The IATA Travel Pass app is the solution to facilitate international travel during the pandemic. provides peace of mind and ensures that passengers meet all COVID-19 requirements upon entry. The IATA Travel Pass holds the key to the relaunch of the travel and tourism industry, an important contributor to the country’s economy.” Previously, in February 2021, Vietnam Airlines and IATA started discussing the IATA Travel Pass. Currently, Singapore, Panama and Estonia are the three countries that have officially agreed to allow passengers to use this application upon entry. In addition, more than 30 airlines have announced the test, including Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, All Nippon Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Ethiopian… The electronic health passport is one of the most expected solutions for Vietnam to quickly and safely open its border, supporting the tourism and aviation industries after a year of being heavily affected by COVID- 19. Currently, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam has proposed the Ministry of Transport to report to the competent authorities to deploy this mechanism to accelerate the reopening of regular international flights carrying passengers to Vietnam./.

These are flights from Phu Bai Airport (Thua Thien – Hue), Chu Lai (Quang Nam), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh) and Van Don (Quang Ninh) to / from Phu Quoc ( PQC) and vice versa. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it would consider in detail the landing frequency and time when licensing the above routes. Previously, Vietjet Air announced to open a series of flights from Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nha Trang, Da Lat and Vinh to Phu Quoc, operating from March 28, April 2 and April 29 respectively. At the same time, the company increased the load on routes exploiting from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong to Phu Quoc. Thus, when opening 5 new routes above, Vietjet Air will operate a total of 13 domestic routes to Phu Quoc. Group of 40 tourists from TST travel agency are in Phu Quoc (photo Minh Man) Vietnam Airlines also said it will restore 4 routes from Hai Phong, Da Lat, Vinh, Da Nang with Phu Quoc from April 23 and increase the number of seats and flights to serve the peak demand of the summer. Accordingly, for flights from Hai Phong, Da Lat, Vinh – Phu Quoc, 4 round-trip flights per week then increased to 7 flights from 1/6/2021. Da Nang – Phu Quoc segment also operates 4 round trip / week. Meanwhile, Bamboo Airways has flights from Hanoi / Da Nang / Ho Chi Minh City / Thanh Hoa / Can Tho / Vinh to Phu Quoc and vice versa. “Rookie” Vietravel Airlines recently operated flights from Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc. When the translation of Covid-19 was paused, tourists rushed to travel to Phu Quoc. This is the hottest destination since the beginning of the year. With nice weather, air ticket price or flight ticket combo, reasonable hotel room, if not very cheap, Ngoc Island is very attractive to tourists. For example, on the occasion of re-exploiting some routes to Phu Quoc, Vietnam Airlines launched a special price from only 69,000 VND / way (equivalent to 546,000 VND / way including taxes and fees), applicable to itineraries. flying from April 23 to May 8 minus the peak period. Vietjet has just joined hands with Vinpearl to offer a package of airline and hotel tickets, with prices starting from VND 2.34 million / person. Accordingly, from April 6-15, customers can order a combo to fly directly from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Vinh to Phu Quoc for the journey. 3 days 2 nights, from April 21 to May 30, except for the peak occasion. Currently, Phu Quoc airport receives about 40 flights every day, equivalent to about 6,000-7,000 passengers. In the first two months of this year, Phu Quoc welcomed 656,000 visitors, accounting for 75-80% of the total number of visitors to Kien Giang with about 887,215 people. This number of visitors, though still down 44.5% compared to the same period in 2020, is on a strong trend to increase since March. Therefore, Kien Giang tourism this year strives to welcome 7 million visitors, an increase of more than 34% compared to the implementation in 2020; total revenue from tourism is more than 11,500 billion, up 46.2%. Talking to the press, Ms. Lam Thi Diem Tram, Director of Phu Quoc Island Tourism and Events Co., Ltd, said that on average 1 month, this company receives from 2,000 to 4,000 tourists booking tours to Phu Quoc. In particular, on the holiday of April 30 to May 1, the number of visitors to Phu Quoc doubled. In April, from Hung Vuong’s death anniversary to April 30, flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc ran out of tickets, so travel companies are asking airlines to increase flights, according to Ms. Lam. Representatives of TST Tourist Company (Ho Chi Minh City) shared, the total number of tourists booking tours at the company in April reached nearly 3,000 guests, in May nearly 1,000 guests. In particular, Phu Quoc is one of the preferred destinations for business delegation tours.

Passengers wait in long queues for boarding procedures at Tan Son Nhat airport. (Photo: CTV / Vietnam +) Over the past few days, Tan Son Nhat airport has been constantly overloaded and congestion in the security screening area, causing frustration for passengers, delayed flight and affecting service quality at this airport. . The number of visitors increased dramatically According to the report of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, in recent days, the number of passengers pouring into this airport has increased dramatically. Specifically, in peak hours, the number of visitors increases by about 30% compared to other times of the day, especially during the morning peak period (5am-10am). Among them, there are many flights operated by airlines using large aircraft such as Airbus A350 or Boeing 787-9. To reduce congestion, Tan Son Nhat International Airport has strengthened its personnel to guide passengers when they arrive at the airport to check in and at the same time require airlines and ground service units to increase their staffing. implement measures to quickly relieve the number of passengers when checking in. At the security checkpoints, this port also arranged additional support forces and maximized the scanning system. Regarding the cause of congestion, the representative of Tan Son Nhat International Airport explained that after the COVID-19 epidemic was well controlled, the demand for passenger travel by air increased, especially on weekends. . Meanwhile, airlines also increase flights and operate large aircraft while ensuring 100% of passengers complete electronic medical declarations when passing the checkpoint. security screening . Airport representatives said that the Aviation Department has regulated the airline staff must check whether passengers have declared medical or not before loading into the screening security screening area. However, many passengers still arrived at the security door and were asked to return to add additional declarations, making the congestion worse. Therefore, the airlines are advising passengers to come Tan Son Nhat Airport early and online check-in before flight. Medical clearance is required before arriving at the airport To make quick flight procedures, Tan Son Nhat International Airport recommends that before boarding the airport, passengers should proactively make medical declaration on https://tokhaiyte.vn/, save information ( take a photo of the QR code after successful declaration). Passengers present this QR code to the airline staff at the check-in counter, at the kiosk check-in area, or at the area in front of the security checkpoint entrance to get a medical confirmation mark. before entering the security check. In addition, the airlines, ground service units arrange enough staff at the check-in counters, the check-in kiosk area, in front of the entrance to the security checkpoint and at the location of the declaration desk. medical to control and assist passengers, ensuring 100% of passengers must complete the electronic medical declaration before entering the screening security checkpoint. Previously, to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam required airports, airlines, agencies and units in the aviation industry to continue promoting the propaganda of love. The requirement of medical clearance is required prior to flight. Accordingly, the airlines have the right to refuse to transport cases that do not comply with medical declarations and epidemic safety regulations. In case passengers have not made medical declaration according to regulations on board, the airlines must be responsible. The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam also requires airlines to arrange personnel at check-in kiosks at passenger terminals to assist and guide passengers in making medical declarations. The airlines Vietjet and Bamboo Airways said they had arranged more staff to remind and assist passengers with online medical declaration procedures at the ticket booth area. “For passengers who do not use smart phones, the airline staff will assist customers to make medical declarations with paper declarations or to the desktop layout areas for the fastest electronic medical report, to reduce work time flight procedures , “said representatives of these two airlines. Customers should check-in online In addition, in order not to wait in line for check-in at the airport, passengers should use other convenient check-in methods such as check-in via website www.vietnamairlines.com, Vietnam Airlines mobile app. ; check-in at the airport kiosk counter; using auto check-in service on mobile apps; Check in by phone at the call center 1900 6265 if traveling from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or in-town check-in if traveling from Hanoi, Da Nang. When performing security screening, passengers should take care to prepare identification papers and boarding passes, store all personal items such as watches, bracelets, keys … in backpacks, bags hands before entering screening and immediately retrieving luggage to clear the scanner. In the event that the flight is about to arrive but has not been screened yet, please contact the airline staff present at the security check-in area for priority assistance. In this regard, Vietnam Airlines notes that passengers proactively arrange their schedules to be at the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time and move to the security screening area to perform screening procedures. right after completing the check-in procedure. In addition, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways also recommend passengers to check in online (via website, mobile apps, airport kiosk) to reduce waiting time at the counter. While at the airport, guests need to complete the electronic medical declaration procedure required by the Aviation Administration to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks before entering the screening security area./.