Five more airlines to launch flights to Vietnam

Another five airlines have registered to open routes and resumed flights between now and the end of the year. This list comprises of Air Hongkong (Hongkong), Jeju Air (South Korea), Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudi Arabia), United Airlines (the US), and Air China Cargo (China).

United Airlines, one of the world’s largest airlines will take over the San Francisco – Hongkong – Ho Chi Minh City route with the schedule of 7 flights per week in place of Continental Airlines. In addition, the Singapore-based Silk Air is also researching the possibility of opening routes to Vietnam.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), as many as 48 foreign airlines are operating flights in the country. 2011 was a very busy year of Vietnam’s aviation industry, with around 5 million visitors travelling by air, rising by 35% over the previous year.

Vietnam is taking action to upgrade infrastructure and improve services at Noi Bai, Cam Ranh and Da Nang Airports. Besides, there’s also a project to build Long Thanh Airport in Dong Nai, which is 40km Northeast of Ho Chi Minh City to meet the increasing demand for passenger and cargo transport.

As forecast by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Vietnam will be the one of the fastest growing market for international passengers and freight in 2014. The aviation growth rate is also expected to hit 10% in the next three years, doubling the 2011 global average of 5%.