Vietnam aims to be in ASEAN aviation top five by 2020

Vietnam aims to be in ASEAN aviation top five by 2020

Vietnam has set a goal to reach the top five ASEAN aviation markets by 2020 under a project to restructure the local aviation sector.

The Transport Ministry wants domestic air travel to account for 3.23 percent of the national system by 2020, with domestic goods at 0.04 percent. International passenger transportation will account for 45.9 percent.

The the number of aircraft in the country will be raised to between 190 and 210 and local leading airlines will enhance performance to meet international four- and five-star standards, while low-cost carriers will work to match regional peers.

The rate of delayed and cancelled flights is targeted to be reduced to 12-15 percent.

In the 2015-2020 period, Vietnam Airlines will open routes to a number of destinations, including San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US, New Delhi and Mumbai in India, Wellington in New Zealand, Dubai, Doha in Qatar, and Brisbane and Perth in Australia.

An official from Vietnam Airlines said that to reach the goals, the national carrier will need to focus on development of its fleet and its air routes.

Deputy Transport Minister Pham Quy Tieu said it was important to improve Vietnam's air infrastructure system and air management.

Vietnam has four airlines -- Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, VietJet Air and Vasco -- and two two low-cost carriers, Vietjet Air and Jetstar. They are offering 56 international and 46 domestic routes.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said there were 45 foreign airlines from 25 nations and territories operating flights in and out of Vietnam on 83 routes in 2014.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the Vietnamese aviation market is the third fastest growing in the world.

vietnamnet