Boeing planes

Competition among airlines in Vietnam has intensified since Bamboo launched in January. Malaysia’s AirAsia Group recently canceled its foray into the Vietnamese market, and increased traffic has placed strain on Vietnam’s aging infrastructure. But Bamboo chief executive Trinh Van Quyet is confident he can fend off budget carrier VietJet and state-owned Vietnam Airlines by using the airline to connect his golf resorts to cities in Vietnam and northeast Asia. "Even international airlines don’t have an ecosystem like Bamboo’s," said Quyet, chairman of Bamboo’s parent company, FLC, which owns five golf resorts across the country. The young airline’s slogan is "more than just a flight." "We have the rooms and combo packages for passengers. They can visit Vietnam, stay and play golf for free," Quyet told Reuters in a recent interview from an FLC resort in Ha Long Bay. Quyet is hoping that helps draw tourist crowds from South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, some … [Read more...] about Birdies on a plane: Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways banks on golf resorts for success

ACV facing risks in airport venture (illustration photo) The National Assembly (NA) has issued a resolution on a feasibility study for the first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project, in which the government will offer no loan guarantee and the selected investor will instead have to manage the fund itself. The move is seen as a blow for interested lenders, often requiring such a government guarantee for initiatives of this magnitude. Vietnam has recently been working with Sweden on the possibility of mobilising a $1 billion loan from the Scandinavian country in order to invest in Long Thanh International, along with air traffic management. Like other groups, the Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK) is concerned about the possible risk without a government loan guarantee. Per Åkerlind, deputy CEO and head of Strategic Partnerships and Relations at SEK, said that the Ministry of Finance guarantee is the most important factor in reaching the $1 billion loan … [Read more...] about ACV facing risks in airport venture

International financiers may have no room to join Long Thanh International Airport project, with the lack of a government loan guarantee creating a major obstacle for would-be investor Airports Corporation of Vietnam to ensure bankability. The National Assembly (NA) has issued a resolution on a feasibility study for the first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project, in which the government will offer no loan guarantee and the selected investor will instead have to manage the fund itself. The move is seen as a blow for interested lenders, often requiring such a government guarantee for initiatives of this magnitude. Vietnam has recently been working with Sweden on the possibility of mobilising a $1 billion loan from the Scandinavian country in order to invest in Long Thanh International, along with air traffic management. Like other groups, the Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK) is concerned about the possible risk without a government loan guarantee. Per … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airports Corporation facing risks in airport venture

Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Dinh Viet Thang, said it would take at least two more years for airlines to open direct routes to the US due to various issues. Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Dinh Viet Thang The problem was discussed at the conference about sustainable development for the aviation industry held by the Ministry of Transport on December 11. The US is a large market with huge potential. However, Thang said they would have to meet many requirements to open direct routes. Vietnam and the US signed an agreement in 2003 in which the two countries could launch one direct flight a day or go through two or three transit points via a third country (except Japan) in order to reach the US. In early 2019 Vietnam was officially granted Category 1 status by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). With this status, Vietnamese air carriers will be able to open direct air routes to the US. Noi Bai and Tan San Nhat airports have also … [Read more...] about Direct air route to the US will not be opened soon

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific have reached a code-sharing agreement that aims to offer enhanced connectivity and seamless access for travelers on Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route. Photo for illustration: thethaovanhoa.vn There will be 34 one-way flights a day, with 30 minutes apart, starting from 5h45 to 21h30, on the route. The national flag carrier will offer flights at even hours (such as 6h00) and provide more alternate flights which are 15-30 minutes apart. The move aims to help passengers enjoy the most convenience in terms of personal timing and schedule, said Trinh Ngoc Thanh, Deputy Director of Vietnam Airlines. It will also reduce waiting time of passengers due to flexible flight schedule and higher frequency. Additionally, the new schedule of Vietnam Airlines will be beneficial for those who often go on business trips and return in the course of the day. Flights on wide-bodied planes such as Boeing 787, Boeing 777, … [Read more...] about Airlines to offer more flights on Hanoi – HCM City route