PM urges Vietnam Airlines to take off

Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked Vietnam Airlines to take advantages of still-rising demand for travelling in the domestic and regional markets to maintain its role as a major air carrier in the country and grow up into one of powerful airlines in the region.

In his working session with the national flag carrier's leaders on March 25, the
PM said in the context of the global economic slowdown, which would lead to the
sharp decrease in cargo and passenger transport this year, the airline should
maintain its routes, flights and personnel, save fuel, improve services and pay
attention to personnel training.

He also said that Vietnam Airlines must to make good its shortcomings in service
quality and personnel training to preserve its prestige.

PM Dung voiced support for Vietnam Airlines' move to purchase large airplanes and
join global aviation alliance.

Vietnam Airlines General Director Pham Ngoc Minh reported that the airline
transported more than 8.8 million passengers, and fetched up revenues of nearly 27
trillion VND and a profit of over 230 billion VND last year.

He said the carrier set a target of 9.4 million passengers in 2009 and revenues of
23.6 trillion VND, with attention paid to expanding markets, tightening
expenditure management, ensuring security, improving service quality, and
developing personnel.-Enditem