Vietnam Airlines surpasses goal for 2013 flights thanks to its improved services. — Photo baodatviet.com

HA NOI (Biz Hub) —Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, flew 114,000 flights in 2013, 2.9 per cent higher than the goal the company set for itself.

The airline reached its goals in spite of fierce competition between domestic and foreign markets, and the impact on the airline industry caused by the devaluation of the Japanese yen and Australian dollar, compared with the US dollar.

The report was given at a Vietnam Airlines conference to review 2013 and set plans for 2014. Held recently in Ha Noi, those attending included leaders from the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam.

The corporation reported that it carried about 15 million passengers last year, an 8.5 per cent increase over its target. It also earned revenues of nearly VND72.6 trillion (US$3.45 billion), and paid VND3.1 trillion ($147.6 million) to the State's budget, 8.5 per cent and 9.8 per cent higher, respectively, than the target.

In a meeting early this month, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang praised Vietnam Airlines and its staff for completing all targets in 2013.

This year is predicted to see satisfactory growth for the world economy. According to the International Air Transport Association's forecast, the demand for travel among passengers in the Asia Pacific region will continue to grow during the next five years, however, there are still existing implicit changes and strong competition in the regional airlines market. — VNS