VietNamNet Bridge - The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will exert efforts to soon open a direct air link with the US, said Vietnam Airlines General Director Nguyen Si Hung.

The scheme to open a direct air route to the US aims to meet the increasing demands to travel of the two countries’ people.

Visitors from the US to Vietnam is expected to surge, while many US businesses considered Vietnam as Asia’s most attractive destination for their investment. In addition, the 1.5 million overseas Vietnamese living in the US are eager to visit their home country, and the transport of goods by air is also expected to surge in the coming time.

Talking to a Vietnam News Agency reporter about Vietnam Airlines’ plan in 2007 and the coming years, the director said the corporation would continue investing in modernising its fleet, purchasing more planes to maintain the growth rate of 12-14 percent a year.

The corporation will continue selling e-tickets, building an e-trade system in accordance with the standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), strengthen technical maintenance, and training workers.

Despite fierce competitiveness from foreign airlines operating in the country, Vietnam Airlines earned a revenue of over 17.5 trillion VND (1.1 billion USD) in 2006, a year-on-year increase of 12.5 percent.

The corporation carried almost 6.8 million passengers, including over 3 million foreigners in 2006. It was the 10th consecutive year that the airlines absolutely ensure safe lights.

(Source: VNA)