An image illustrates short distance chartered flight over the city of Hue. — Photo Courtesy of Thua Thien - Hue Province's Department of Tourism

Vietravel Airlines has taken a step towards becoming an operational airline.

Last week, the airline filed an investment registration dossier to the central province of Thua Thien-Hue’s People’s Committee to set up its headquarters in the locality’s Phu Bai International Airport.

Vietravel Airlines was founded by large travel agency Vietravel, with initial investment of VND1 trillion (US$43 million).

The airline plans to operate its first flight within 18 months, according to Vietravel and Vietravel Airlines chairman Nguyen Quoc Ky.

The airline plans to focus on charter flights from Phu Bai Airport for its first three years of operations and to rent 20 Airbus 321 planes.

It expects to have total capacity of five million passengers a year.

The airlines is confident in this segment as only last year, its travel agents used 300 chartered flights, with about 200 passengers each, to domestic and abroad destinations.

According to Vu Duc Bien, the airlines’ director, the province has served as a transit venue for passengers from abroad to the area including Quang Binh, Da Nang and Hoi An, home to top destinations like the world’s biggest cave Son Doong and Hoi An Town.

There are five airlines currently operating in Viet Nam, namely national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Vasco, budget carriers VietJet Air and Jetstar Pacific, and newly-formed Bamboo Airways. — VNS