Vietnam's 3rd Private Air Carrier Set To Take Off
Air Mekong, Vietnam's third private air carrier, is scheduled to launch its first flights on Oct 10.
HANOI, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Air Mekong, Vietnam's third private air carrier, is scheduled to launch its first flights on Oct 10, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
"The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) will finish its checks and appraisal to enable Air Mekong's operation next month," the company said in a press release.
"Air Mekong is scheduled to begin selling tickets from mid-September and to launch its first flights on Oct 10 of this year," the company said.
The airline is scheduled to fly from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat and Phu Quoc. In addition, it has also asked permission to fly from HCM City to Con Dao, Buon Me Thuot, Hai Phong and Vinh.
On Aug 15, the airline received delivery of four made-in-Canada Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft owned by Skywest Leasing Inc. of the US.
Each aircraft has 95 business and economy-class seats.
Air Mekong was established in 2009 by Ha Long Investment and Development Company. It will be headquartered at Phu Quoc Airport. The other two private carriers in Vietnam are Indochina Airlines and VietJet AirAsia.
The CAAV said there were a number of organizations and individuals planning to launch airlines.
To qualify, private operators must have a charter capital of at least 500 billion VND (US$26.3 million) to fly internationally and 200 billion VND (US$10.5 million) to launch domestic flights. Airlines must also meet strict aviation and security standards.
(Source: BERNAMA)