Vietnam Airlines expect to achieve Category 1 rating under the United States Federal Aviation Administration. — Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — National carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) plans to open a direct route to the United States in 2018, VNA General Director Duong Tri Thanh said.

Thanh said his firm had been preparing this plan for 10 years.

The carrier has focused on improving service quality synchronously and has invested in facilities with wide-body fleets of the new-generation Airbus A350-900 and Boeing B787 Dreamliner.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAA), to launch direct flights to the United States instead of going via a stopover, Viet Nam will have to achieve Category 1 rating under the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

CAA has been working with inspectors of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Viet Nam in an international aviation safety assessment programme. ICAO is the United Nations' technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommends practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. — VNS