14TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM

Kite Air not qualified for takeoff license: Vietnam gov't

Nhat Minh

Sep 09, 2020 / 01:09 PM

The project to establish Kite Air has not met the criteria to be submitted to the government for approval.

The dossier for the establishment of the Canh Dieu (Kite) Air project will not be submitted to the prime minister for approval, as it has not met certain conditions, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said on the request of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) for the licensing of the project.

Photo: TMG

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Dung agreed to a proposal of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to delay the licensing of new airlines until the recovery of the aviation industry, expected to be in 2022. Covid-19 plunged the global aviation industry and that of Vietnam due to travel restrictions with all international paralyzed and most domestic flights suspended in March and April to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The government’s priority would be to address difficulties and concerns of operating Vietnamese airlines, stated Mr. Dung in a document issued on July 17. The MPI is the appraisal agency for Kite Air project. Based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Transport, it would to submit the project to the Prime Minister for licensing.

Kite Air's plan was developed in 2018-2019 amid the rise of the national aviation market with a growth rate of 13-20% each year. The owner of the low-cost airline project is Thien Minh Aviation JSC. The air carrier would operate six ATR72 aircraft on domestic routes. The fleet would be expanded to 30 aircraft by 2025.

Currently, Vietnam has six operational airlines including national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, budget carrier Pacific Airlines (with a majority owned by Vietnam Airlines), Vietjet Aviation, Vietnam Air Services (VASCO), Bamboo Airways, and Vietstar Airlines, a joint carrier between private and military stake holders.

In addition, Vietravel Airlines, Vinpearl Air and Kite Air are awaiting for operation authorization, with charter capitals of VND700 billion (US$29.9 million), VND1 trillion (US$ 43.9 million) and VND56.3 billion VND (US$56.4 million), respectively.

Vietnam gov’t holds off licensing new airlines until 2022

20 Jul, 22:34

During the meantime, the government’s priority would be to address difficulties and concerns of operating Vietnamese airlines.

Vietnam’s Kite Air set to take off in Q2

08 Jan, 16:05

Kite Air targets to be a budget airline with a focus on domestic routes, aiming to serve passengers in provinces/cities with underdeveloped aviation infrastructure.

Hanoi poised to lead low-altitude space economy

The low-altitude economy is not a distant vision but a reality already taking shape, bringing a rare opportunity for Hanoi to lead the next phase of urban technological transformation.

30 Jan, 05:36 PM

Vietnam, US to continue reciprocal tariff talks next week

Vietnam has reaffirmed its willingness to facilitate greater access for US goods and companies as Hanoi and Washington prepare to hold the sixth round of negotiations on reciprocal tariffs.

30 Jan, 05:15 PM

Viettel Money added to national public service portal, expanding cashless government payments

Vietnam is expanding cashless public services as Viettel Money joins the National Public Service Portal, helping streamline administrative processing for both citizens and government agencies nationwide.

30 Jan, 04:15 PM

Vietnam’s online food delivery market jumps 19% in 2025 as duopoly tightens grip

Rapid urbanization and app-based lifestyles are reshaping how Vietnamese consumers order meals, with food delivery platforms expanding quickly in 2025 amid rising competition, service innovation and growing reliance on digital channels for everyday dining across major cities.

29 Jan, 04:44 PM

Four competitive pillars shape HCMC-based international financial center vision

Currently ranked 95th out of 120 cities in the Global Financial Centres Index, Ho Chi Minh City aims to reach the top 75 by 2035 and the top 50 by 2045.

29 Jan, 04:02 PM

FPT opens advanced chip testing plant, deepening Vietnam’s role in global semiconductor chains

FPT has announced the establishment of an advanced semiconductor testing and packaging plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh, expected to begin operations this year, marking a significant step toward completing Vietnam’s semiconductor value chain.

29 Jan, 09:23 AM

Japanese food companies step up focus on Vietnam market

As Vietnam’s income levels rise, consumer demand has gradually shifted toward higher-quality and more diverse food products.

28 Jan, 02:23 PM

Vietnam targets national gold exchange launch in February to improve market transparency

Vietnam is accelerating financial market reforms as the government pushes forward plans for a national gold exchange platform and experiments with digital asset trading, aiming to improve transparency, stabilize markets and strengthen macroeconomic management.

28 Jan, 08:39 AM