Airlines cut fares as booking sink

International and domestic airlines operating in Vietnam are offering discounts on their flights as the global recession and swine flu pandemic continue to keep bookings low. Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier, will offer its largest-ever discount of 60-70 percent on all domestic and international flights from October 1-January 31.
“The promotion programme will not only lure more passengers but also shore up tourism during difficult economic times,” said Nguyen Thi Minh Yen, director of the carrier’s southern office.
AirAsia, Jestar Pacific and Indochina Airlines are also offering cheap tickets on domestic flights, with prices ranging between 200,000 VND (11.25 USD) and 600,000 VND (33.7 USD).
Several international airlines are also offering special promotional prices.
All Nippon Airways is discounting fares by 40 percent. A return ticket on its Hanoi-Japan route via Hong Kong costs just 500 USD. Korean Air is offering a discount of 20-25 percent on flights from Hanoi to Europe and US, and 16 percent on flights to the Republic of Korea.
As of October 25, Emirates Airlines will also offer a discount of 30-40 percent on flight from Hanoi to Dubai, with return fares of around 1,200 USD.