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Vietnam national flag carrier flies high
President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines Pham Ngoc Minh said the air carrier would continue to expand and modernise its fleet, adopt the latest techniques and improve to become a prestigious carrier that embodies Vietnam’s national identity.
Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier of the second most populous country in Southeast Asia , now has 49 modern aircraft, including many Boeing B777s and Airbus A330, 321 and 320 craft.
The carrier expects to expand its modern fleet to 104 and 150 aircraft by 2015 and 2020 respectively.
In the face of current economic crunch, Minh confirmed that: “Purchase of new aircraft is still on course. We will start taking delivery of our new B787s in 2013, A350s in 2015, and A321s in 2012.” In late 2007, Vietnam Airlines signed three big purchase contracts for 29 new-age planes with Boeing and Airbus.
“Operating a young and modern fleet, we offer non-stop flights from Western Europe and Australia to Vietnam , as well as best-choice connections around Indochina with leading frequency and convenient schedules of 17 flights each day,” said Minh.
“We deliver high quality services and assure passengers’ safety and comfort for every flight.”
Vietnam Airlines aims to become a substantial and efficient economic group, pioneering in international integration, playing the key role in national air transportation and contributing to the political stability and socio-economic development of the country. Minh said the carrier would do its best to become one of the top three airlines in the ASEAN bloc by 2015, helping to make Vietnam a gateway to the Southeast Asia region.
Minh said that despite the current economic hardship, the airlines still believes in its great potential for development as well as for the general growth of the local aviation sector. Rising prices, especially for oil, have hit all airlines around the world.
“Thanks to immediate and appropriate measures, we have been quite successful in minimising the effect,” said Minh. “We see this difficult time as offering both challenges and opportunities.
Vietnam has emerged as the safest and most attractive destination for tourism and investment in Asia Pacific region, according to Vietnam Airlines. In addition, the air travel by Vietnamese has spectacularly increased due to rising incomes.
In Vietnam , the annual growth rate of the aviation market is about 15 percent, nearly double the national GDP growth rate.
To possibly enhance its competitive edge in the face of harsh competition with other local and international carrier, Vietnam Airlines has mapped out development strategies.
“With appropriate strategies, Vietnam Airlines believes that we are fully able to further grow and become a regional carrier of choise,” said Minh.
One of the first steps in its development strategies was to renew the Vietnam Airlines brand with a new logo, the “Golden Lotus” in October 2002.
Vietnam Airlines today cooperates with prestigious international advertising agencies and media groups to further promote the image of Vietnam as well as the Vietnam Airlines brand globally.
In 2006, the national carrier received an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate and became an official member of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA).
The airline is now serving 36 international routes and 25 domestic routes. To satisfy the rising demand, it will further expand both international and domestic markets through increasing frequencies and opening new routes.
It will increase the frequency of flights from Hanoi/HCM City to Paris to up to 10 flights per week, and up to 7 flights per week for flights to Frankfurt and Moscow .
In addition, the airlines plans to open new routes, including HCM City - Los Angeles and Hanoi/HCM City to one new destination in Europe (tentatively Prague or London), as well as Hanoi/HCM City – Shanghai/Beijing, HCM City – Mumbay and HCM City - Brisbane among others.
In the domestic market, the airlines plans to open around 10 new routes with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City still being the main hubs.
VNA
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