Vietnam Airline activities in 2000
Ha Noi, Jan. 9 (VNA) -- Vietnam Airlines - the national flag carrier - last year transported nearly three million passengers and more than 45,500 tonnes of cargo, a year-on-year rise of 11 percent and 15 percent respectively, an official of the Airlines said.
The official said Vietnam Airlines gained a share of about 40 percent of international air transport in the country and brought the rate of seat occupancy to 74.63 percent for the whole year. In addition, it provided supplies and services for about 14,540 flights operated by foreign airlines.
In 2000, Vietnam Airlines resumed or opened air links between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Riep (Cambodia) and Guangzhou (China), between Ha Noi and Seoul, and between Ho Chi Minh City and Seoul. It also inaugurated an inter-Indochina air route from Ha Noi via Vientiane and Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, he added.
It has joined hands with Japan Airlines in resuming flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo and vice versa and increased its flights from Viet Nam to Osaka (Japan), Taipei, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
Vietnam Airlines has established direct air routes from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City to 17 cities and capitals of foreign countries. It has further cooperated with foreign partners in operating flights from the country to Berlin, Zurich, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The airlines has expanded its services on 15 domestic air ways throughout the country. Now it has a contingent of pilots and crews capable of operating ATR 72, Folker 70, A-320 and Boeing 767 planes. It is also capable of maintaining A-320, Folker 70 and Boeing 767 aircraft.
Also in 2000, however, 7,478 out of its total 27,876 flights, accounting for about 25 percent, were cancelled or delayed due to bad weather conditions or the lack of stand-by planes and inadequate air transport demand-supply forecasts, the official said.
This year, Vietnam Airlines has devised a scheme to carry 3.2 million passengers and more than 48,500 tonnes of cargo. It has worked out a wide range of measures to fulfil the plan.
These measures include increasing domestic flights, consolidating and developing already-established air links, opening new international flights, cooperating with foreign partners and signing contracts with foreign airlines on the reservation of air tickets on some international flights.--VNA
