Air Mekong set for launch

The Mekong Airlines Joint Stock Company (Air Mekong) yesterday announced it would begin operating eight flights per day to destinations around the country on October 9.

Doan Quoc Viet, Air Mekong chairman, said Air Mekong would offer two service classes, including deluxe and economy, on its four CRJ-900 Bombardier jets.

The company had a total capital of VND300 billion (US$15.4 million) from its parent, the BIM Group based in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Viet said.

“SkyWest Inc, the holding company for SkyWest Airlines in the United States, is looking to acquire a 30 -percent stake in Air Mekong,” he said yesterday. “The acquisition is waiting for approval from State authorities.”

Skywest currently provided pilots and airplane engineers to Air Mekong, he said.

“The Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam will finish its checks and appraisals of Air Mekong’s operations on September 30 for it to begin operation next month,” said a representative of the administration.

Air Mekong’s management board believed it could compete with other large carriers, such as Vietnam Airlines and Jestar Pacific, because it planned to develop routes that the larger carriers still ignored, Viet said.

Air Mekong begins selling tickets today at 200 points of sale nationwide.

The airline was offering a promotional programme until November 9, 2011 to sell 1,000 tickets with prices ranging from VND400,000 and VND1.2 million ($20.5-$61.5) for flights on all its domestic routes, said Truong Thanh Vu, Air Mekong Director of Trade and Service.

The airline would sell tickets directly at sales points or via its website and customer care centres. Many payment options were available, including credit cards, ATM cards or at banks, Viet said.

The airline is scheduled to fly from Ha Noi and HCM City to Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat and Phu Quoc. It will also offer flights from HCM City to Con Dao, Buon Ma Thuot, Hai Phong and Vinh.

In July, the airline received delivery of four made-in-Canada Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft owned by Skywest Leasing Inc of the US. Each aircraft has 95 business and economy-class seats. – VNS

Tags: Air Mekong, Mekong Airlines