Vietnam, U.S. to resume air travel ties
HANOI - Vietnam and the United States agreed on
Thursday to allow passenger and cargo flights between the two
countries for the first time since the end of the Vietnam War.
The agreement was initialed by Thamvu Hien, deputy director of
Vietnam's Civil Aviation Administration, and Laura Faux-Gable,
deputy director of the U.S. State Department's Office of Aviation
Negotiations, in Hanoi.
"Upon entry into force, the agreement will permit a wide range of
services, including direct passenger and cargo service between the
United States and Vietnam," State Department spokesman Richard
Boucher said in Washington prior to the signing.
Vietnam's relations with the United States have broadened since a
bilateral trade agreement went into effect in December 2001. The
pact has significantly increased two-way trade between the former
foes, but negotiators have been unable to reach an agreement on
air travel.
American carriers must now use code-sharing agreements with
other airlines that operate in the country, which means
passengers flying between the two countries have to switch
planes somewhere before reaching their final destination.
The accord would allow commercial flights between the United
States and Vietnam, but no details were available on when the
service would begin.
"The two countries have been waiting for this agreement for a long
time. This is a new step forward in bilateral relations," said Le
Dang Doanh, an economist and adviser to the minister of planning
and investment. "With the agreement, Vietnam has the
opportunity to fly to the United States, a huge market, but it also
has to face fierce competition" from U.S. airlines, he said.
The deal comes as Vietnam moves toward a market economy and
works to promote tourism.
Vietnam has said the American market accounts for 10 percent of
its aviation business, and the percentage would likely increase
with direct flights making travel quicker and more convenient.
More than 1 million Vietnamese reside in the United States, many
of whom fled Vietnam after the communists defeated the
U.S.-backed government of South Vietnam in 1975. Many overseas
Vietnamese have begun traveling back to their homeland.
Negotiations on an aviation agreement broke down three years
ago but resumed earlier this year. Details about the talks haven't
been released, but local media earlier reported that a major
sticking point going into this round involved regulations for
passengers or cargo to switch flights during stopovers at major
airport hubs.
The U.S. delegation in the talks, led by Laura Faux-Gable, deputy
director of the State Department's Office of Aviation Negotiations,
also includes representatives of the Department of Transportation.
Several large American carriers also were included, along with
cargo carriers and a representative of San Francisco International
Airport.
By Margie Mason - The Associated Press - October 09, 2003.
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