Direct flights to USA still a long journey

January 08, 2013 | 08:00

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Vietnamese carriers are still waiting at the departure gate to expand direct flights to the United States.

Only US air carriers have tapped the advantages of the Vietnam-US aviation transport agreement, which was first inked in 2003 and then revised twice in 2010 and mid December, 2012.

However, recent moves are expected to warm up civil aviation cooperation between the two countries, especially with national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines contemplating direct flights to the US.

“Theoretically, operating direct flights to US market is open to all domestic carriers. However, it is not easy,” said Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) Aviation Transport Division deputy head Bui Minh Dang.

Vietnam Airlines’ executives said economic and competitiveness issues stood as the largest hindrance to Vietnamese carriers in establishing direct flights between the two countries.

Until this time, Vietnam is only green-lighted for technical landing at a single location on the long journey to US market, meaning that if Vietnam Airlines succeeded in negotiations to make a technical landing in Japan or Korea it could not land to take on passengers at these locations but was only agreed to fuel infusion.

Meanwhile, a number of foreign air carriers currently tapping the routes connecting Vietnam-US market can do so following their inked bilateral treaties.

The passengers traveling between the two countries via transit points reportedly average 400,000-500,000 a year. They are mainly businesspeople or those taking visits to see relatives, featuring minor changes in number.