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| Five international carriers may open or reopen flights to Viet Nam |
United Airlines will fly San Francisco-Hong Kong-HCM City seven flights a week each way while Continental Airlines has ceased operation on this route.
Jeju Air plans seven flights a week on the Seoul-HCM City route.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam, other airlines also expressed interest in opening new routes or expanding operations in Viet Nam. Singapore Silk Air plans to fly Singapore-Ha Noi. It already flies to Da Nang in central Viet Nam.
Emirates, of the United Arab Emirates, expressed interest in flying Dubai-HCM City.
Last month, United Airlines and Japanese carrier ANA were given the go-ahead to co-ordinate on price and flight networks from Vietnam-US, via Hong Kong and Japan, the Government website reported.
Also in March, Cebu Pacific of the Philippines launched two flights a week on the Manila-Hanoi route.
In the same month, Saudi Airlines Cargo, of Saudi Arab, debuted a cargo service linking HCM City-Middle East-Frankfurt twice a week.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has bolstered infrastructure investment and construction, including a plan to build Long Thanh Airport in the south, improve Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, and refurbish Cam Ranh Airport in central Khanh Hoa Province.
The International Air Transport Association reported last year that Vietnam would rank third among the world fastest growing markets for both passenger and cargo services. The forecast was based on a 5 percent annual aviation growth throughout the world compared to Vietnam's growth rate, which would hit 10 percent by 2014.
