Vietnam Airlines is preparing to operate direct flights to the US from 2018. — Photo cafef.vn

HCM CITY — Vietnam Airlines is preparing to operate direct flights to the US from 2018.

It must meet CAT1 requirements set by the US Federal Aviation Administration specifically for non-stop flights to the US.

Vietnamese aviation authorities and Boeing last year signed an agreement under which the US aircraft manufacturer pledged technical and training assistance to help Vietnamese aviation officials reach CAT1 standards.

Vietnam Airlines CEO Dương Trí Thành said the carrier is focusing on enhancing passengers’ long-haul flying experience by expanding its fleet with larger aircraft like Airbus 350 – 900s and Boeing B787 Dreamliners.

The number of visitors from the US to Việt Nam increased by 14.5 percent year-on-year in the first six months of 2016 to 300,000, accounting for 6 percent of the latter’s international arrivals. —VNS