Vietnam's air cargo market to remain in the fast lane
HCM City (VNA) - The Vietnamese air freight market has seen remarkable growth
in recent years and the momentum is expected to continue, the 4th International Conference and Exhibition on Air Freight
Logistics Vietnam heard in HCM City on September 20.
Tran Thanh Hai, deputy
director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s import-export department, said
along with the country’s economy, the aviation industry, especially logistics,
too has made great progress.
According to the official, Vietnam's air cargo transport currently accounts for a very small
volume of exports but 25 percent of value due to the specialised transportation
of high-value items such as electronics, certain kinds of seafood and garment
and textiles.
Nguyen Cong Bang, deputy director of
the Ministry of Transport’s transport department, said according to the
International Air Transport Association, Vietnam is
the world’s seventh fastest growing aviation market.
“In the vision to 2035, Vietnam's
aviation market is considered among the top five markets in terms of growth.
The rapid development of the aviation market has strongly boosted the
development of tourism and trade and attracted more investment in the country
in recent years,” Bang said.
According to him, the market
has great potential for development, and offers many opportunities for local
and international firms in it.
Meanwhile, Hai spoke about the challenges the air cargo industry faces.
No
domestic airliner has aircraft designed to carry goods in bulk. So Vietnamese
exporters have to mainly rely on foreign firms for air cargo transport, he said, adding that only Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat out of more than 40 airports in the country
have separate areas for cargo handling.
But despite these challenges, the air transport market has a
lot of potential, and both the Government and businesses need to have clear
development strategies, according to Hai.
Other
delegates said to prepare for the new age of logistics, companies needed IT
solutions to cut out redundant processes, be cost-efficient, and anticipate
future standards.
Airports must have good technology and infrastructure systems
in place to meet air transport demand and take over competitors, they said.
Organised by the Vietnam
Logistics Business Association and the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, the event brought together businessmen, key industry
leaders and experts from over 350 companies and more than 35 airlines and
airports in 30 countries and territories.
The biennial event also featured an exhibition with 50 booths
set up by local and foreign logistics services providers./.