Vietnam expects high number of int’l air passengers following new visa policies

Vietnamese airlines have pinned high hopes on the rising number of international passengers, forecasting that it may boom from the end of this year, thanks to more favorable visa policies valid from Tuesday. A representative of a Vietnamese air carrier told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the number of foreign passengers would increase following the new visa policies. In particular, 14.6 million foreign visitors traveled to Vietnam by air during the six-month period, including 6.9 million passengers transported by Vietnamese airlines. Budget air carrier Vietjet accounted for more than half of the number, at 3.5 million international passengers, as it opened an additional 11 international air routes last quarter. With friendlier visa policies, airlines will promote direct air routes, especially to India and Australia as they have recently shown great potential, according to local airlines.