Vietnam Airlines is hurrying up to launch a direct flight to the US under the urgent massage of Vietnamese Prime Minister, said the airline’s general director Nguyen Si Hung.
The scheme to launch a direct air route to the US aims to meet the increasing demands to travel of the two countries’ people, Hung said, but did not reveal exact time for the flight’s open.
One month ago, the national flag carrier announced it would delay the direct flight to the US until late 2008 because it is not yet ready to land at this strong competitive market.
Strict requirements in the US on security management systems and air marshals are also blamed for the Vietnam Airline’s delay.
However, visitors from the US to Vietnam are surging, while many US businesses considered Vietnam as Asia’s most attractive destination for their investment.
In addition, the 1.5 million overseas Vietnamese living in the US are eager to visit their home land, and the transport of goods by air is also expected to surge in the coming time.
Talking about Vietnam Airlines’ plan in 2007 and the coming years, Hung said the corporation would continue investing in modernizing its fleet, purchasing more planes to maintain the growth rate of 12-14 per cent a year.
The corporation will continue selling e-tickets, building an e-trade system in accordance with the standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), strengthen technical maintenance, and training workers.
Despite fierce competitiveness from foreign airlines operating in the country, Vietnam Airlines earned a revenue of over VND17.5 trillion (US$1.1 billion) in 2006, a year-on-year increase of 12.5 per cent.
The corporation carried almost 6.8 million passengers, including over 3 million foreigners in 2006. It was the 10th consecutive year that the airlines absolutely ensure safe lights. (Urban & Economy)
Vietnamese
