Vietjet Air launches five direct air routes to Can Tho

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (7th from left), Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (5th from left), and Head of the Party Central Committee's Comission for Mass Mobilization Truong Thi Mai at the launching ceremony of 5 new air routes to Can Tho International Airport in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on April 6, 2019. Photo: VGP

Present at the event included Permanent Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh, Secretary of Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCC's Commission for Mass Mobilization Truong Thi Mai.

The five direct air routes connecting Can Tho City to Hai Phong City, Vinh City (Nghe An Province), Thanh Hoa Province, Nha Trang City (Khanh Hoa Province) and Da Lat City (Lam Dong Province) are scheduled to start by VietJet Air since April 26, 2019.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Phuc said the operation of these air routes will make contributions to the development of the Southwest - a potential region which is facing a lot of difficulties, especially in term of transport.

As 80% of foreign visitors travelling to Viet Nam by air, the Government leader urged Vietjet to consider opening international air routes to Can Tho City in a bid to reduce overload at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

He also tasked the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) to improve the quality of airports, ensure airport security and put forward necessary mechanisms and programs to develop the airport system in Viet Nam.

Can Tho International Airport, coming into operation since 2011, is designed to welcome three million passengers per year. At present, there are only four domestic air routes to Ha Noi, Da Nang City, Phu Quoc Island and Con Dao Island, said Chairman of Can Tho City’s People’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong.

In 2018, the airport served 800,000 passengers, reaching 35% of its designed capacity.

Thong pledged to facilitate VietJet to effectively exploit the new air routes to help increase arrivals to the city and promote local development.

* Earlier the same day, PM Phuc joined a meeting to celebrate Chol Chnam Thmay-the lunar new year festival of Khmer people.

He asked the local authorities to assist poor and disadvantaged Khmer households to enjoy the New Year celebration.

By Thuy Dung