VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked Vietnam Airlines to take advantages of still-rising demand for traveling in the domestic and regional markets to maintain its role as a major air carrier in the country and grow up into one of powerful airlines in the region.

In his working session with the national flag carrier’s leaders on March 25, the PM said in the context of the global economic slowdown, which would lead to the sharp decrease in cargo and passenger transport this year, the airline should maintain its routes, flights and personnel, save fuel, improve services and pay attention to personnel training.

He also said that Vietnam Airlines must to make good its shortcomings in service quality and personnel training to preserve its prestige.

PM Dung voiced support for Vietnam Airlines’ move to purchase large airplanes and join global aviation alliance.

Vietnam Airlines General Director Pham Ngoc Minh reported that the airline transported more than 8.8 million passengers, and fetched up revenues of nearly 27 trillion VND and a profit of over 230 billion VND last year.

He said the carrier set a target of 9.4 million passengers in 2009 and revenues of 23.6 trillion VND, with attention paid to expanding markets, tightening expenditure management, ensuring security, improving service quality, and developing personnel.

Vietnam Airlines cancels int’l ticket commissions

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will adopt a zero percent commission policy for international tickets issued in the country as of April 1, 2009.

As a result, Vietnam Airlines’ booking offices will no longer receive the 3 percent commission on international tickets. Instead, they are allowed to collect service charges from 7-35 USD, depending on the route and seating class.

The charges will be applied to the first ticket issuance, and not to changes made after. The service charge will be decided based on the cost of the booking, ticket issuance, service management, and travel distance. These charged will be posted at all Vietnam Airlines’ booking offices.

Deputy General Director Trinh Hong Quang said the zero percent commission policy is a global norm, and Vietnam Airlines is following suit.

Thanks to the new policy, passengers can expect lower prices and can select travel agents based on competitive service charge levels

VietNamNet/VNA