Air Mekong plans to sell 30pct stake to US partner

After officially operating from last October 10, Air Mekong carrier proposed to sell 8.571 million shares or its 30 percent stake to US-based SkyWest group, the Thoi Bao Kinh Te Vietnam newspaper reported.

The proposal, sent to prime minister for approval by Ministry of Traffic and Transportation lately, aims to handle with the firm’s difficulties in pilot crew, technicians, aircraft maintenance and human resources development.

It is alleged not related to the air trade name, no commitment in logo change or director board of Air Mekong.

Minister Ho Nghia Dung signed the written proposal with a reason that SkyWest is only a business capital contributor only under current laws.

SkyWest, a leading provider of aircraft technique service, can support well to Air Mekong particularly as well as Vietnam’s aviation industry generally in fields of technological training and transferring.

In addition, Air Mekong also recommended to join investment, improvement and development of Gia Lam airport, new Phu Quoc airport in a view to upgrade domestic aviation quality.

But Ministry of Traffic and Transportation said the aforementioned new airports were invested by Northern Aviation Corp and Southern Aviation Corp and expected to come into operation in 2011 and 2012. So the ministry did not support the second proposal.

Air Mekong official started flying from October 10, 2010 with four Bombardier CRJ900 planes on the route from Hanoi and HCM City to Da Nang, Da Lat, Buon Me Thuot, Pleiku, Phu Quoc and Con Dao.

The firm plans to purchase extra 10 aircrafts in 2011, 14 ones in 2012, 18 in 2013 and 20 in 2014.

Tags: Vietnam business, Vietnam business news, Vietnam companies