Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc presents the second-class Independence Order to Flight Crew 919.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — As the national flag carrier and reserve force for national security and defence, Vietnam Airlines should strive to become Việt Nam's first five-star airline as soon as possible, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

He made the statement while attending a ceremony in Hà Nội on Saturday to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of 919 Transport Air Force Regiment, the predecessor of Flight Crew 919, which later developed into Vietnam Airlines.

From its history as a regiment, Flight Crew 919 has become a core unit of the four-star airline, he said, adding that it has taken the lead in applying the world’s most advanced technologies and training and managing more than 1,000 foreign and domestic pilots to operate new-generation aircraft to safely transport passengers and goods.

The PM expressed his optimism at the increasing number of Vietnamese pilots working for Vietnam Airlines, with local staff now accounting for up to 75 per cent of the airlines' crew. 

The PM recalled the historical achievements of the Việt Nam's civil aviation sector in 2011 when Vietnam Airlines and Flight Crew 919 conducted 10 Boeing 777 flights on 14 consecutive days, safely helping more than 3,000 Vietnamese citizens return home and carrying nearly 13.5 tonnes of relief goods in a campaign to save Vietnamese workers from Libya’s civil war.

While stressing the role of Vietnam Airlines and the civil aviation sector in the country’s new period of economic development, the Government leader asked the airline to exert more efforts to realise the goal of making tourism a spearhead economy that accounts for more than 10 per cent of the national gross domestic product (GDP).

He asked the airline to ensure flight safety and the provision of high-quality workers.

The PM also assigned the State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises and the Ministry of Transport to focus on directing Vietnam Airlines in the process of equitisation and restructuring to guarantee efficiency.

On the occasion, he presented the second-class Independence Order to Flight Crew 919.

Vietnam Airlines, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, operates 90 domestic and international air routes. — VNS