Last week, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) issued an air operator certificate (AOC) to VietJet Air, allowing the second low-cost airline in Vietnam after Jetstar Pacific to conduct flights within the country.

Nguyen Duc Tam, deputy director of VietJet Air, said an AOC was required for any air carrier to operate commercial flights.

“To get the AOC, VietJet Air has got itself ready in all operational factors including people recruitment, aircraft lease, booking system installation, and financial ability. The airline also has to prove that it is well prepared for flight operation work, aircraft maintenance, engineering, and air transport infrastructure,” Tam said.

VietJet Air signed a contract with a foreign partner in the Middle East in October to lease three new Airbus A320 to operate its maiden flights on December 25 this year. In the initial time, the airline will offer four daily flights between HCMC and Hanoi before gradually increasing the number to 14 in early 2012 when the HCMC-Danang service is launched.

VietJet Air has recruited over 40 foreign pilots and trained more than 50 flight attendants overseas in preparation for the commercial flights. The carrier is expected to be the first Vietnamese private operator of international routes from HCMC to other major cities in Asia, hopefully from the middle of 2012.