Why Are Con Dao Flights Always Sold Out and Overbooked?

The People’s Committee of Con Dao Special Zone has recently submitted a formal request to airlines, urging VASCO and Vietjet to increase flight frequencies from December 4th to 8th. They also encourage price incentives to facilitate visitors attending Con Dao’s most significant annual traditional event—the 240th anniversary of Mrs. Phi Yen’s Memorial Festival.

Notably, last month, Vietjet suspended its Hanoi-Con Dao and Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao routes. However, recent updates indicate the airline is preparing to resume operations with four daily flights to Con Dao, evenly split between the two routes. This swift reinstatement, just a month after suspension, underscores the route’s enduring potential.

Limited flights and few operators have historically made airfares to Con Dao prohibitively expensive.

Previously, Vietjet’s round-trip economy fares from Hanoi to Con Dao, including taxes and fees, peaked at approximately VND 8.8 million—the highest among domestic routes (with business class reaching around VND 10 million). For the Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao route, economy round-trip fares were about VND 3.4 million, while business class cost VND 6.6 million.

VASCO, a long-standing operator in Con Dao using ATR-72 aircraft, offers round-trip economy fares from Hanoi to Con Dao via Ho Chi Minh City.

VASCO’s Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao economy round-trip fares range from VND 3.2 to 3.5 million. Upgrading to flexible premium economy costs approximately VND 5.6 million round-trip. Despite high prices, these flights often sell out quickly.

Previously, Bamboo Airways operated direct Hanoi-Con Dao flights using Embraer E190 regional jets, with economy round-trip fares ranging from VND 7 to 8 million.

Since Bamboo Airways ceased operations in April 2024 and Vietjet has yet to launch direct flights, passengers from Northern Vietnam must connect through Tan Son Nhat or Can Tho airports to reach Con Dao.

Infrastructure limitations further complicate airline operations in Con Dao.

Con Dao Airport’s runway measures only 1,800 meters, accommodating smaller aircraft and operating daily from 6 AM to 6 PM due to the absence of night lighting. Limited parking stands, constrained terminal capacity, and short-haul flight restrictions make it challenging for airlines to increase frequencies.

Despite its significant potential, Con Dao’s air routes remain underdeveloped due to these constraints. Consistent demand from pilgrims, tourists, and business travelers exists year-round. However, reliance on small aircraft, high operational costs, and a lack of supporting services hinder airlines from achieving profitability with sporadic daily flights.

Under the 2021-2030 National Airport System Development Plan, with a vision to 2050, Con Dao Airport is projected to handle 2 million passengers annually by 2030 and 3 million by 2050.