Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang, the first (left) man, presents flowers to special passengers at the Noi Bai International Airport. — Photo Vietnam Airlines

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — National carrier Vietnam Airlines on December 27 received its 160 millionth passenger over 20 years of operations and its 17 millionth passenger in 2015 at Noi Bai International Airport.

The 160 millionth, the 159,999,999th and the 160,000,001th special passengers travelled on flight VN417 from Incheon in the Republic of Korea to Ha Noi. They were welcome at a ceremony that was attended by Transport Minister Dinh La Thang and other leaders of the ministry, the Aviation Administration of Vietnam, the Airport Corporation of Vietnam and Vietnam Airlines.

The 160 millionth and 159,999,999th passengers were Bhang Shang Chul and Kim Jung Hui from South Korea and the 160,000,001th passenger was Duong Ngoc Tan of Viet Nam.

Vietnam Airlines also welcomed Vu Ngoc Truong of Viet Nam, who was its 17 millionth passenger in 2015, arriving on flight VN240 from HCM City to Ha Noi. The 16,999,999th passenger was Nguyen Thu Huong from Viet Nam and the 17,000,001th passenger was Fujiwara Takeshi of Japan.

With flight VN240, VNA marked a milestone of carrying 250,000 passengers on the new-generation Airbus A350-900 in 2015. Ever since Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 became operational in July 2015, many travellers have opted to change their itineries in order to fly on the new aircraft.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Đinh La Thăng said Vietnam Airlines had done an excellent job and had fulfilled its role as a national airline by transporting more than 160 million passengers over 20 years and 17 million in 2015 alone.

He said the airline had effectively bridged different regions in Viet Nam and connected the country with the whole world, turning air travel into the most convenient, most popular and the safest mode of transportation for the people.

‘I believe Vietnam Airlines, based on a firm foundation and having gone through many challenges, will be able to achieve all important targets and become the pride of the transportation industry. Vietnam Airlines will be a strong testimony to the sound development direction and potential of the country in the international community," Thang said.

In the 1995–2015 period, Vietnam Airlines operated 1.39 million international and domestic flights safely, transporting 160 million passengers and growing 11 per cent per annum. In 2015 alone, the carrier provided excellent air traffic control services to more than 127,500 flights, 3.5 per cent more than the target.

This year also saw several milestones being made in the corporation's development. While it was the first year Vietnam Airlines operated as a joint stock company, it also saw the launch of the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the revamp of its brand image and upgrade of its services to a four-star rating. — VNS