In its urgent document to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and three carriers, the Ministry of Transport ordered not to increase plane ticket prices in 2018.

It said in the document that rise in oil prices and exchange rate fluctuation in recent months have put pressure on the profitability of airlines.

However, to take on the National Assembly and the government’s mission of keeping consumer price index below 4 percent for macroeconomic stability , the Ministry requested airlines not to raise fare price in the year.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam will liaise with airlines on the matter to ensure passengers’ and airline’s benefits and the new fare will be implemented from 2019, said a leader of the Ministry.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam was asked to keep track on the matter and impose penalties on violators if detecting violation.

Before, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines sent document proposing an adjustment in fare price to suit the current situation.

The price of jet fuel has gone up in the past year along with rise in other expenses, and airlines including Vietjet, Vietnam Airline and Jetstart Pacific proposed raising ticket prices if fuel costs continue to rise. Only Jetstar Pacific suggested a rise of 25 percent than the present level.

SGGP