More flights to Vietnam on the cards after new aviation deal

New Delhi: Indian travellers will have more flight options to Vietnam this holiday season as India and Vietnam have agreed to allow airlines from both countries to launch more flights. The new agreement will more than double the air capacity limit to over 16,000 seats a week from 8,000 now, people aware of the development said.

The expansion comes as airlines on both sides have used up, or are close to exhausting, their existing rights amid growing demand for travel between the two countries.

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Flying rights are allocated on a bilateral reciprocal basis by the government to airlines of their country. Airlines cannot operate more flights than they are allotted.

Over last few years, Vietnam has become a popular destination for Indian tourists. According to data analytics firm Cirium, Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India operate 30 flights to Vietnam a week while Vietnamese carriers operate 48 flights.

The increase in capacity- effective immediately-will allow Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet to add more flights to Indian metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata, people cited above said. Sun PhuQuoc Airlines is also planning to launch flights to Mumbai, they said.

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"Vietnam is a hot selling destination from India, driven by an increase in flight connectivity," Nguyen Trung Hieu, India country manager at Vietnam Airlines, told ET. "Vietnam Airlines with its A350 aircraft is the first full service carrier on the route. which will appeal to the premium travellers."

This is the second increase in bilateral seat quota between India and Vietnam since 2024, an unusually quick succession considering New Delhi's cautious approach. The Narendra Modi government has been reluctant to give more access to foreign carriers since it took charge in 2014. This stance, according to the government, is aimed at protecting Indian airlines from being eclipsed by bigger global rivals with significantly higher exposure on international routes.

Over the last few years, Southeast Asian nations have emerged as top tourist destinations for Indians, after multiple countries in the region eased visa regulations for Indian visitors.