Vietnamese, US firms join hands to develop aviation infrastructure

Vietnamese airlines are preparing to launch direct flights to the US. (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – More than 80 state-owned and private enterprises fromVietnam and the US discussed cooperative opportunities at a recent virtualconference as both sides are making preparations for the launch of directflights between the two countries.

Leading US firms such as Autodesk, Boeing, Collins, Aerospace, Haskell,Honeywell, Mitre, Rapiscan, JBT Aerotech, Turner Construction and TycoSecurity, among others, shared experience and solutions in airport development,as well as highlighted opportunities to boost the Vietnam-US collaboration inthis field.

At the event, the US Federal Aviation Administration, the US TransportationSecurity Administration, the US Department of Commerce and the US TradeDevelopment Agency said they would work closely with the Vietnamese sides to developa safe and effective air transportation system.
The US agenciesare working to provide technical and financial support for the Vietnamese side.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)and Airport Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) shared information on Vietnam’saviation infrastructure development plans.

Earlier, Bamboo Airways was licensed by the US Department of Transportation tocarry passengers and cargo between Vietnam and the US. It will use wide-bodyBoeing 787-9 Dreamliner to fly directly from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City tointernational airports in the US.

Experts evaluated the market potential between the two countries is at about700,000 passengers per year, while only 30,000 – 60,000 passengers per year areneeded to open the direct flight.

In term of legal aspects, in 2003, Vietnam and the US signed an aviationagreement that allows carriers of the two countries to operate direct flightswith a frequency of one flight per day or fly over to a transition countrybefore departing from the US.

In 2010, the CAAVreviewed and reassessed the agreement, concluding there are no restrictions orobstacles on passengers, flight frequency to apply for permission to openflights connecting Vietnam and the US.

And after 10 yearsof efforts, in early 2019, the CAAV obtained the US CAT-1 certificate. This isa prerequisite for Vietnamese airlines to apply for permits to fly to the USand to codeshare with US airlines. The FAA will continue to evaluate thecapacity of each Vietnamese carrier./.

VNA