VietNamNet Bridge – The national air carrier Vietnam Airlines will offer five direct flights a week from Vietnam to the US via Taiwan.
Vietnam Airlines once tried to negotiate to get the right to transit via Japan or the Republic of Korea (ROK). However, the involved parties could not reach agreements as there could be only three flights connecting with the US.
The national flag air carrier is hurrying to complete the plan on flying directly from Vietnam to the US which will be submitted to the Government for approval. Currently, it remains unclear to which city of the US Vietnam Airlines will fly. In November 2006, Vietnam Airlines sent its staff to the US to survey the market and work with US partners to complete the plan.
The Vietnam – US direct air route will play a very important role for both the US and Vietnam. The US side has asked the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) to amend several current regulations to come in line with US aviation practices.
The demand for traveling by the two countries’ citizens is expected to soar in the coming years. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), in November 2006, 29,000 American travelers arrived in Vietnam, an increase of 108% over the previous month. The number of American travelers coming to Vietnam in 11 months of 2006 was 352,000, up by 115% over the same period of 2005.
Analysts said that the number of US travelers coming to Vietnam will double in 2007. US businesses now consider Vietnam the most attractive destination for doing business in Asia. In addition, more and more Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) in the US will demand to make regular trips home.
Since the US and Vietnam signed the aviation agreement, only United Airlines has opened the San Francisco – HCM City air route, with the transit stop in Hong Kong.
(Source: VNE) |