VietNamNet Bridge – After its September 10 launch of Hanoi-Halong travel service using amphibious planes, Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Company is planning more routes, including one connecting HCMC and the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Speaking to the Saigon Times Daily on the sidelines of a meeting with Can Tho City government last week, Do Quang Hai, a senior executive at Hai Au, said that if all preparations go well, HCMC-Can Tho service would be launched on December 1.

“We also plan to open many other routes like Saigon-Mui Ne (Binh Thuan), Saigon-Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Saigon-Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Saigon-Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau) and Saigon-Chau Doc (An Giang),” Hai said.

Explaining why Hai Au chooses amphibious aircraft, Hai referred to tourists’ demand and added Vietnam had an advantage of sea and island tourism.

“In addition, amphibious planes help reduce travel time considerably. For instance, it normally takes 2.5 days to go from the mainland to Spratly (Truong Sa) Islands by boat while flying by seaplane takes only one hour and 15 minutes, which is very convenient,” he said.

At the meeting, most departments in Can Tho City showed their support for Hai Au Aviation’s plan.

“From the perspective of the province’s tourism development, I strongly support the plan, which will be a unique service and attract a large number of tourists to Can Tho,” said Tran Phuoc Son, deputy director of the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vice chairman of the city Dao Anh Dung said the city would create favorable conditions for Hai Au.

However, according to Dung, Hai Au still needs to present the official plan so that the city can consider issuing a license.

Amphibious aircraft are expected to land and take off in the Hau River’s section in front of Victoria Can Tho Resort in Ninh Kieu District.

According to Hai Au, after half a month, it has operated nearly 35 flights by seaplane between Hanoi and Halong.

Hai did not reveal airfares of HCMC-Can Tho route but it is said to be more or less equivalent to that of the Hanoi-Halong route.

Hai Au bought the third seaplane last Thursday for providing sightseeing flights from HCMC to tourist sites in neighboring provinces in the upcoming time.

As scheduled, the plane will arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC by the end of November.

Hai Au will open tourism services by amphibious plane in the southern region with many trips from HCMC to Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Con Dao and Phu Quoc in the beginning of December.

Earlier, Hai Au launched seaplane services from Hanoi to Halong Bay on September 9. The carrier offers a maximum of three flights on the fixed route between two cities, as well as five to ten sightseeing flights over Halong Bay a day.

A flight from Hanoi to Halong takes 30 minutes. The company also provides two sightseeing packages of 25-minute and 40-minute flights over the bay.

SGT/VNN