Vietnam Airlines aims to start first US route in October
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Vietnam Airlines is planning to operate regular flights between Vietnam and the U.S. starting October, seeking to fulfill a dream of nearly two decades.
The state-owned carrier will use either Boeing 787 or Airbus SE A350 aircraft for its inaugural U.S. route from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco with one refueling stop, CEO Le Hong Ha said.
Since last year, the airline has been operating irregular charter flights to repatriate Vietnamese from the U.S. during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airline will rely on transporting cargo to offset initial low passenger demand, Ha said.
Vietnam Airlines has been the worst-Covid-19-hit carrier in Vietnam. It has recorded a loss of about VND7 trillion ($306.65 million) in the first half this year, Ha commented.
The airline in 2003 was ordered by the Ministry of Transport to begin direct services to the U.S. by 2005. However, concerns about profitability kept the airline from realizing the goal.
Other Vietnamese airlines like budget carrier Vietjet and startup Bamboo Airways have all voiced interest in flying directly to the U.S.
Bamboo Airways in May acquired slots to operate regular direct flights from HCMC to San Francisco and Los Angeles starting Sep. 1. But it is unclear whether flights would commence given the current severity of Covid-19 in Vietnam.
In the first seven months of this year, Vietnamese carriers served 13.7 million passengers, down 32 percent year-on-year, according to General Statistics Office
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific cities will Vietnam Airlines' first US route connect, and will it be a direct flight?
Which specific cities will Vietnam Airlines' first US route connect, and will it be a direct flight?
The inaugural US route will connect Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco. The CEO stated that this service will operate with one refueling stop, meaning it will not be a direct flight initially.
Q.How will Vietnam Airlines manage potential low passenger numbers when the US route begins?
How will Vietnam Airlines manage potential low passenger numbers when the US route begins?
Vietnam Airlines plans to rely on transporting cargo to help offset the expected low passenger demand during the initial phase of its new US route operations. This strategy aims to improve profitability.
Q.Why has it taken Vietnam Airlines almost two decades to launch flights to the U.S. Despite earlier plans?
Why has it taken Vietnam Airlines almost two decades to launch flights to the U.S. Despite earlier plans?
The Ministry of Transport ordered the airline to start US services by 2005. However, concerns regarding the profitability of such routes prevented Vietnam Airlines from achieving this goal until now.
Q.Are other Vietnamese airlines also planning to fly to the U.S. Soon, and are their plans definite?
Are other Vietnamese airlines also planning to fly to the U.S. Soon, and are their plans definite?
Budget carrier Vietjet and startup Bamboo Airways have shown interest in US routes. Bamboo Airways acquired slots for flights from HCMC to San Francisco and Los Angeles starting September 1, but it is uncertain if these will commence due to Covid-19.
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