Aviation industry boosts flights amid aircraft shortage

Planes of airlines at the Nội Bài International Airport. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — As of July, Vietnamese airlines have a combined fleet of 195 aircraft operating under the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), according to a report from the Civil Aviation Administration of Việt Nam.

However, there has been a reduction of 36 aircraft compared to the previous count.

AOC is a certificate that allows an operator to perform specific operations of commercial air transport.

Out of the total fleet an average of 167 aircraft are actively in operation, down 51 aircraft compared to the same period in 2023.

Due to a sharp decline in the number of operated aircraft, Vietnamese airlines have been actively engaged in searching for and negotiating aircraft leases as a means to supplement and replace the grounded fleet.

In addition to their efforts in securing leased aircraft, Vietnamese airlines have implemented multiple strategies to sustain and enhance their capacity.

These encompass adjusting aircraft operation schedules, minimising turnaround time for flight transfers, optimising aircraft use during the day and bolstering flight frequencies during the afternoon and evening periods.

In 2023, Vietnamese airlines achieved an impressive operational aircraft ratio of 94.4 per cent out of the total number of aircraft under their AOC. However, due to the impact of the aircraft engine recall, this ratio dropped significantly to 85.6 per cent in 2024. — VNS