HANOI – Vietnam Airlines will launch direct flights to the US in the last quarter of 2010, three years later than originally planned, its spokesman told local media.
The national flag carrier needs more time to make marketing plans, get enough long-haul aircraft, and make other preparations, Trinh Ngoc Thanh said.
It is believed that one of the issues having an impact are the tight security and safety regulations on all US inbound flights, including supplying the passenger list with personal information four hours before take-off.
Last year Vietnam Airlines’ revenues rose 31 percent to US$1.5 billion as it carried a total of 8.8 million passengers.
The carrier is pressing ahead with the launch of VietAir which will serve as a commuter/feeder of Vietnam Airlines’ network.
An airline spokesman said, “Although VietAir will operate on a low cost basis, it provides no low fare tickets.”
VietAir will utilise all Vietnam Airlines’ ATR72-500 fleet on domestic and international routes.
