U.S.-Vietnam open skies agreement in the cards
The United States and Vietnam are moving toward an open skies agreement after officials from both countries preliminarily agreed to a pact earlier this month in Hanoi.
'The agreement will strengthen and expand our already strong trade and tourism links with Vietnam and provide benefits to American and Vietnamese cargo carriers and to shippers while preserving our commitments to aviation safety and security,' the U.S. embassy said in a statement.
The agreement, which has yet to be formally signed by leaders of either country, would remove restrictions on carrying cargo to or from third countries. The two countries agreed to allow direct bilateral air services in 2003, with an unlimited number of scheduled all-cargo carriers allowed to operate with no limits on frequencies. The agreement also featured unlimited rights for cargo charters.