Third private carrier flies Vietnam's skies

Photo: Vnexpress.net Vietnam's third private airline, Air Mekong, received its Air Operator's Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) in Kien Giang province in the south on October 8. The carrier also launched its first two routes, Hanoi – Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc on the same day. "The CAAV certificate will open a new page for our development", said Air Mekong chairman Doan Quoc Viet. He said Air Mekong started commercial operations on October 9 with eight flights from Ha Noi and HCM City to Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Buon Me Thuot and Pleiku, adding that Air Mekong will expand operations in November, including flights to Da Lat in the Central Highlands and Da Nang city.  The airline has launched a promotional offer with 1,000 tickets on sale until November 9 at prices from VND400,000 to VND1.2 million on all its domestic routes. Tickets are on sale at travel agents as well as Air Mekong's website and customer care centres. Air Mekong was established in 2009 by the Ha Long Investment and Development Company based at Phu Quoc Airport. The other two private carriers already operating in Vietnam are Indochina Airlines and VietJet AirAsia. The CAAV said there are also a number of other organisations and individuals planning to launch airlines. To qualify, private operators must have a charter capital of at least VND500 billion to fly internationally and VND200 billion to launch domestic flights. They must also meet strict aviation and security standards.