Nonetheless, it assuredpassengers that the domestic carriers were adhering to the flexible faremechanism and not exceeding the ceiling level regulated.

The announcement followedrecent complaints about lack of seats and surging fares despite this being theoff-peak season.

Under existing regulationsthat went into effect in September 2015, the ceiling price of a one way Hanoi-HCMCity ticket is 3.2 million VND (140.5 USD), excluding taxes, fees and otherservice charges. 

Airlines said they offermore than 10 price levels on that popular route with the maximum net price of aone way ticket, ranging from 3.15 million VND on Vietnam Airlines (VNA),  3million VND on Jetstar Pacific (JPA), and 2.87 million VND on VietjetAir (VJA). 

Although fuel prices haveincreased since 2015, Vietnamese airlines are still selling tickets within theregulated price range. “If the airlines violate the price regulations, theauthorised body will step in and fine them in accordance with the law,” saidthe CAAV.

In response to passengercomplaints of a recent drop in the number of flights and increase in ticketprices, especially on the Hanoi-HCM City route where few discounts areavailable, CAAV explained that budget carrier Jetstar Pacific had cancelled aseries of flights due to staff shortage, especially pilots.

Meanwhile, budget carrierVietjet Air also reduced its flight frequency from an average 25 one-wayflights a day to 16 flights per day due to the planned maintenance of aircraftand increased international flights.

Overall, according to CAAVdata, from late September to early October, there were an average of 47 one-wayHanoi-HCM City flights, 85.5 percent more than the same period last year.Vietnam Airlines accounted for 25 flights (increased by 85.5 percent), whileVietJet Air has 16 flights (down 15.7 percent), and Jestar Pacific operates sixflights (down 53.8 percent). Flights are totally booked and passengers have topostpone travel in some cases.

In order to meet demand,the CAAV has directed airlines to increase the number of flights. Bymid-October, Vietnam Airlines plans to add 2-3 flights per day between HCM Cityand Hanoi, on average. It will also use larger aircraft on several of theflights. Vietjet Air is planning to add 4-5 flights per day, to an average of20 flights on the route next week.

Jetstar Pacific will notadd flights, for now, but has been working closely with Vietnam Airlines toensure those having bought꧃ tickets get to their destination despite thedecreased flights. Starting in November it hopes to operate 8-9 flights on thisroute, on average.-VNA