Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy PrimeMinister Trinh Dinh Dung recently approved a project to strengthen aviationconnectivity with tourist markets.

The project aims to open new air routes,increase the frequency of existing flights run by domestic and foreign airlinesbetween Vietnam and major tourist destinations in the US, France, the UK,Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Russia,Australia and India, as well as launch routes to the northeastern region,heritage sites in the central area, the south-central and Central Highlandsregions, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc island.

Between now and 2020, more internationalflights will be launched in accordance with a project on developing directflights between major countries and areas to promote exchanges and globalintegration as approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in 2017.

Airports inVietnam are estimated to serve 106 million passengers and handle nearly 1.5million tonnes of cargo in 2018, up 12.9 percent and 7.7 percent year-on-yearrespectively, reported the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).

The country’s airlines transported more than 50million passengers and nearly 400,000 tonnes of goods in 2018, representingrespective increases of 14 percent and 26 percent compared to the previousyear.

At present, 68 foreign airlines from 25countries and territories and four local carriers make up the Vietnameseaviation market.

The 68 foreign and three Vietnamese carriers,including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and JetstarPacific Airlines, operate nearly 130 international routes linking Hanoi, Ho ChiMinh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Hai Phong with 28 countries andterritories around the world.

Meanwhile, the four local airlines run 48domestic routes from Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City to 18 localairports.-VNA