"Conference on Promotion for Air Services to Can Tho City" held in Can Tho recently saw the signing ceremony between some provinces with VietnamAirlines and VietJet Air on opening air routes from Can Tho to the provinces and the reverse direction...
“Conference on Promotion for Air Services to Can Tho City” held in Can Tho recently saw the signing ceremony between some provinces with VietnamAirlines and VietJet Air on opening air routes from Can Tho to the provinces and the reverse direction. Following is the transcript of an interview Khanh Hoa Online has made with Vice-chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, who attended the event, about the issue.
Reporter: Could you tell me about the main contents of “Conference on Promotion for Air Services to Can Tho City”?
Mr. Le Xuan Than: Mekong Delta has a population of about 18 million. This’s also is a important economic region, gateway to developed economies of ASEAN. Can Tho City is the center of Mekong Delta. Can Tho International Airport is modern and comprehensive with the capacity of 3 – 5 million passengers/year and the ablity to receive big aircrafts. However, the airport hasn’t operated effectively as expected. There are fewer flights and fewer passenger than designed. From that reality, “Conference on Promotion for Air Services to Can Tho City” evaluated the operation of Can Tho International Airport, and then proposed solutions to promote opening more domestic and international flying routes to the airport. The opening flights on Can Tho – Cam Ranh route was included.
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| Vice-chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Le Xuan Than |
Reporter: When will Can Tho – Cam Ranh air route be opened?
Mr. Le Xuan Than: Within the framework of “Conference on Promotion for Air Services to Can Tho City”, provinces, cities and airlines signed a memorandum on intensifying flights to Can Tho International Airport. Accordingly, the Can Tho – Cam Ranh air route will be opened in end 2014.
Reporter: How useful will the air route be to Khanh Hoa Province and Can Tho City?
Mr. Le Xuan Than: Can Tho – Cam Ranh air route is expected to bring a new opportunity to tourism. The flights will carry tourists from Nha Trang – Khanh Ho to not only Can Tho but 13 other provinces and cities in Mekong Delta as well and vice versa. Then, the connection of tourist services and goods trade between Mekong Delta with Khanh Hoa will be raised, attracting more investment from Mekong Delta in Khanh Hoa. Khanh Hoa people like to discover river tourism in Mekong Delta and the people in Southern province also love sea tourism. The new air route will cut time and cost for tourists. Therefore, the cooperation is useful for the two sides in socioeconomic development.
Reporter: What will we prepare for the new route?
Mr. Le Xuan Than: From now to the end of 2014, the number of travellers through Cam Ranh International Airport is expected to rise very sharply. Consequently, we need invest more in infrastructures and human resources for the airport to ensure passenger welcome. Specifically, Runway No. 2 with total investment of VND1,300 billion and the first step of Border Police Station at the airport with investment of VND10 billion will be built. In addition, we need open new tours to attract tourists coming from the markets of Mekong Delta.
Reporter: Thank you, sir!
T.T
