On October 22, continuing the 10th Session, the National Assembly discussed in groups the draft Law on Civil Aviation of Vietnam (amended).
An issue that many delegates are concerned about is the situation of flight delays and cancellations. Measures are needed to ensure the rights of customers.
Delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap National Assembly Delegation) was concerned about the issue of compensation for damages to customers when using airline services.
According to the Hoa delegate, the draft regulations on the rights and obligations of customers are still quite general.
Citing the fact that many people fly and can be delayed, delegate Hoa said that there are flights that are delayed for many hours. The delay not only happens to low-cost airlines but also to airlines with higher ticket prices.
"If the trip is delayed due to natural disasters or epidemics, it is acceptable. However, if the delay is due to flight operations, this is an unreasonable and unacceptable mistake, said delegate Pham Van Hoa.
In addition to the reason for flight delays, delegate Hoa also mentioned the method of announcing flight delays.
Delegate Hoa gave an example of buying tickets with the expected flight time of 4pm, if after a while the airline announced a delay, we can sympathize. "If you arrive at the airport and then announce the delay, it is unacceptable," the delegate emphasized.
From the above reality, the Hoa delegate suggested that there should be clear and specific regulations on the issue of flight delays, how to compensate customers...; if not regulated in the law, it must be regulated in the decree.
Commenting on this draft law, delegate Nguyen Thanh Cam (Dong Thap National Assembly Delegation) proposed to add one more principle among the principles of civil aviation that the draft has stated. That is to ensure the life, health, safety and interests of customers above all.
The delegate cited the fact that many customers use airline services with "not cheap airfares, even quite high ticket prices" but are still canceled or delayed.
After that, the customer only received an apology from the captain. This issue seems unsatisfactory. From there, he said there needs to be a specific compensation mechanism.
"Customer benefits and compensation for customers need to be further specified in this draft law" - delegate Nguyen Thanh Cam emphasized.
In response to the concerns of the delegates, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said that Long Thanh airport is being urgently built, aiming to not be late, delay flights and attract international passengers.
Regarding the reason for the delay and cancellation of flights, Minister Tran Hong Minh said that many airports in Vietnam have not met international standards. For example, Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai T3 terminals.
To meet international standards, according to the Minister, there must be an elevated and degraded runway, with a minimum distance of 1,350 m.
