Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has approved a project to enhance air connectivity.

It will open new routes and increase frequency of existing flights between Vietnam and major tourist destinations around the world.

More routes will be launched to the key tourism spots in the northeastern region, heritage sites in the central area, the south-central and Central Highlands regions, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island.

By 2025, Viet Nam is expected to increase flights to all international airports as well as expand its domestic routes, especially inter-regional flights to key tourist spots.

The project wants to develop the aviation market in line with the Government’s policy of boosting tourism and making it a key pillar of the economy.

It also hopes to attract airlines to open more routes and increase the frequency of flights by enhancing the freedom of the air, optimise operating times and apply preferential pricing policy for airlines operating new international routes.

The enhanced air connectivity will contribute significantly to the steady growth of the tourism industry.

Between 2010 and 2017, the aviation market achieved an average growth rate of 16.64 per cent in passengers and 14 per cent in cargo per year.

Flight operating capacity also grew 12 per cent annually according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Viet Nam’s aviation market is expected to continue its double-digit growth rate in the future, driven by the development of trade and tourism.

The improvement in service quality and protecting passengers’ rights are also emphasised in the project.

At present, 68 foreign airlines from 25 countries and territories and four local carriers are operating in Viet Nam. — VNS