HCMC – Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has completed all the procedures necessary to be approved by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to receive a permit to operate regular direct flights to the U.S.

Among the procedures, meeting TSA’s security requirements is the final and most important step. After receiving the documents submitted by VNA and considering the national flag carrier’s ability to ensure aviation security, TSA will send its representatives to Vietnam to survey and assess the security capacity at local airports where direct flights to the U.S. are set to take off. The dispatch of TSA representatives to Vietnam for assessment is independent of TSA’s decision to approve VNA’s documents. TSA’s permit will pave the way for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to grant a permit to the carrier to conduct regular direct flights linking the two countries. Receiving the approval of TSA and FAA expected in the next few days is the final step that the carrier has to take for the direct flights. Regular direct flights are different from international special charter flights that local carriers are licensed by the U.S. authorities to operate. Upon getting the U.S. permit, regular direct flights will be operated in accordance with the carrier’s schedule. These flights will not limit the types of passengers, and air tickets will be sold via the carrier’s various channels such as its website, mobile app and ticket counters. All passengers can search for flight schedules, select seats and book air tickets based on their needs. As for international special charter flights, there will be restrictions on flight schedules, types of passengers and travel purposes. Such flights will only be conducted during a certain period. In 2019, VNA was the first carrier in Vietnam to be granted the permit by the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate commercial flights to the U.S. To be allowed to launch regular direct flights to the U.S., VNA and other airlines must meet the strict requirements of the U.S. authorities, especially TSA and FAA.

By Le Anh