Vietnam Airlines has announced the resumption of its flight operations to Pleiku Airport, following the completion of significant upgrades at the facility. Starting from September 1, the airline will operate a daily flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Pleiku, increasing to three daily flights from September 15 through October 24. This move comes as a response to the airport's earlier-than-scheduled reopening after a comprehensive modernization project.
Pleiku Airport, located in Gia Lai province, underwent a substantial renovation that began on September 28, 2014. The project, which cost approximately 945 billion VND (about 41 million USD), aimed to expand and enhance the airport's infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways, and apron. The goal was to increase the airport's capacity to handle up to 1 million passengers annually. The upgrades were necessary to accommodate the growing air travel demand in the region and improve the overall passenger experience.
The airport was temporarily closed from March 15 to October 25 to facilitate the upgrades. During this period, travelers from Gia Lai and the neighboring Kon Tum province had to use alternative airports, such as Phu Cat in Binh Dinh and Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak, which required additional travel time by car.
The first flight back to Pleiku Airport, VN1424, departed from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 15:05, carrying 178 passengers, and landed at Pleiku at 16:10. The return flight, VN1425, took off from Pleiku at 17:09 on the same day. These flights were operated using the Airbus A321 aircraft. From September 15, the airline will also utilize ATR72 aircrafts for some of the three daily flights.
Starting September 5, Vietnam Airlines will also reintroduce flights from Hanoi to Pleiku. The schedule includes four flights per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) until September 14, and then daily flights from September 15 to October 24, all operated by Airbus A321 aircraft.
To celebrate the resumption of services, Vietnam Airlines is offering promotional fares. Tickets from Pleiku to Ho Chi Minh City are priced at 399,000 VND (approximately 17 USD) one-way, and from Hanoi to Pleiku at 799,000 VND (approximately 34 USD) one-way. These promotional rates are available for tickets purchased and travel commenced between September 1 and September 30.
Passengers can book their tickets through the Vietnam Airlines website or through authorized agents, ensuring easy access to these special offers.
The reopening of Pleiku Airport and the resumption of flights by Vietnam Airlines mark a significant development in the region's air travel infrastructure. The modernization of the airport is expected to boost local tourism and economic activities, providing a more efficient and pleasant travel experience for passengers.
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