An additional five airlines have registered to launch or resume flights to Vietnam between now and the end of this year. They include Air Hong Kong, Jeju Air (the Republic of Korea), Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudi Arabia), United Airlines (the US), and Air China Cargo (China). Silk Airlines of Singapore, which is currently conducting flights to Danang, is also keen on opening an air route to Hanoi.

 According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), as many as 48 foreign airlines are operating in Vietnam. In 2011, about five million visitors travelled to Vietnam by air, up 35 percent over the previous year. Vietnam is upgrading infrastructure at Noi Bai, Cam Ranh and Danang Airports, and implementing a project to build Long Thanh Airport to meet the increasing demand for passenger and cargo transport.

 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that by 2014, Vietnam will be the world’s third fastest growing market for international passengers and freight. The country’s aviation growth will likely reach 10 percent in the next three years, doubling the 2011 global average of 5 percent.


 Vietnam Airlines to open Berlin-Hanoi direct flight 

 The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to launch a direct flight from Berlin to Hanoi on June 25. The information was announced by Nghiem Van Khanh, chief representative of Vietnam Airlines in Berlin, during a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany, Do Hoa Binh, on April 18. According to Khanh, the planned direct flight from Berlin to Hanoi is part of activities to mark the inauguration of Brandenburg Airport on June 3.

 Vietnam Airlines will sell tickets (895 Euros, including 40kg luggage) through East Sea Travel Germany. Passengers on the first flight on June 25 can fly back to Germany via regular flights from Hanoi to Frankfurt, where they can travel free of charge by train to their final destination in the country. Ambassador Binh highly valued the opening of the direct flight, saying that it will help promote Vietnam Airlines’ image and contribute to the fruitful relationship between Vietnam and Germany.


 Source VOV / Vietnam Airlines