US expertise to benefit VN aviation sector

HCM CITY (VNS)— Aviation experts from Viet Nam and the US discussed ways to strengthen co-operation in several areas including airport security and application of advanced technologies at a conference held in HCM City yesterday.

Addressing the conference, Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu said aviation and airport security would be a crucial task to ensure sustainable development of the sector.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam is currently implementing a project to improve capacity in aviation security management with assistance from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the conference heard.

The co-operation was initiated by Vietnamese Ministry of Transport and the US Embassy in Viet Nam, with the first conference on the topic being held in Ha Noi in May.

Vietnamese aviation has been growing strongly in recent years. "Viet Nam's civil aviation sector has great potential for development," said Tieu.

It has eight international airports and 12 domestic airports; and the sector expects to have the capacity to deal with 50 million passengers a year soon, he added.

It has 46 airline carriers operating flights from Viet Nam to many countries and territories in the world apart from 40 domestic routes.

At the conference yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration shared with their Vietnamese counterparts information on best practices in airport security as well as the latest technological trends in airport operation and security.

The conference also discussed how the US Trade and Development Agency could assist Viet Nam in its aviation projects.

The US Consulate in HCM City, co-organiser of the conference, said the discussion would provide the foundation for stronger co-operation between the two sides.

Growth of the aviation industry could enhance economic development, said Le Thanh An, US consul general in HCM City.

The US aviation sector also co-operated with their counterparts in India and China, the conference heard. —VNS