India-Vietnam Market Booms with 42 New Weekly Flights
India-Vietnam Air Travel Demand Soars: Expansion of Bilateral Flights to 42 Weekly Services
BENGALURU – The air travel sector between India and Vietnam is experiencing unprecedented growth, prompting an expansion of their bilateral air service agreement to include 42 weekly flights. This significant increase, highlighted by senior network planner Behramjee Ghadially, is primarily driven by a surge in interest from Indian tourists eager to explore Vietnam’s vibrant culture and scenic landscapes.
In recent years, destinations like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have become increasingly popular among Indian travelers. Many are now choosing Vietnam as their next international stop after visiting well-trodden locations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
India-Vietnam Air Travel Expansion
With VietJet Air’s recent launch of its Ho Chi Minh City route to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the India-Vietnam air travel market stands at a transformative juncture. This new service not only enhances connectivity but also positions Bengaluru and Hyderabad alongside other major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai that already offer non-stop flights to Vietnam.
Surge in Passenger Demand
Looking ahead to 2024, the point-to-point (P2P) passenger demand between India and key Vietnamese cities is expected to soar:
- Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), and Da Nang (DAD) have seen a remarkable 50% increase in demand compared to 2023.
- The total number of passengers is projected to rise from 620,000 in 2023 to 950,000 in 2024.
This growth can be attributed to airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, VietJet, and Vietnam Airlines, which have ramped up both flight frequency and capacity on major routes, especially between Mumbai and Delhi to Vietnam.
Fastest-Growing Routes
Analyzing the data reveals significant growth in specific city pairs:
- Delhi-Hanoi: Passenger demand increased from 93,000 in 2023 to 125,000 in 2024.
- Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City: Saw a rise from 74,000 to 124,000 passengers.
- Mumbai-Hanoi: Demand surged to 86,000 passengers.
- Mumbai-Ho Chi Minh City: Reached 97,000 passengers.
Cities like Ahmedabad and Kolkata have also demonstrated impressive growth, largely due to the introduction of direct flights by VietJet and IndiGo. Notably:
- Ahmedabad-Ho Chi Minh City: Increased from 30,000 in 2023 to 53,000 passengers.
- Kolkata-Hanoi: Grew from 62,000 to 75,000 passengers.
- Kolkata-Ho Chi Minh City: Increased from 65,000 to 72,000 passengers.
Competitive Landscape and Future Opportunities
Air India holds a competitive edge with its Delhi-Ho Chi Minh route, offering smooth connections for passengers traveling onward to Europe and North America. This strategy proves advantageous, especially during off-peak seasons when direct travel demand from India to Vietnam may decline.
Conversely, IndiGo and VietJet focus primarily on direct passenger demand from India. Vietnam Airlines is poised to leverage its hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to attract connecting traffic from Australia and beyond.
The rise in travel between India and Vietnam signals a shift in Indian tourist preferences, with travelers increasingly seeking new international destinations beyond the traditional hotspots in Southeast Asia. With the expanded bilateral agreement, the connectivity between India and Vietnam is expected to grow further in the coming years.
IndiGo is also eyeing opportunities in the European market. With increasing demand from Europe and the UK for travel to Hanoi, there’s potential for IndiGo to introduce a Delhi-Hanoi flight aimed at connecting passengers. Additionally, with its robust hub in Bengaluru (BLR), the airline may soon initiate non-stop flights from Bengaluru to Vietnam, capitalizing on the expanded bilateral agreement.
For more information on the expanding travel routes or to explore further insights into the booming India-Vietnam tourism market, feel free to share your thoughts below or check out our related articles!
