Indochina Airlines (Vietnamese: Hãng Hàng không Đông Dương) was a Vietnamese airline based in Ho Chi Minh City. It was the first operational private airline based in Vietnam, originally licensed in May 2008 as Air Speed Up (Vietnamese: Hãng hàng không Tăng Tốc).[1] The founder and chairman of the board was Vietnamese musician Hà Hùng Dũng. Indochina Airlines began selling tickets on 12 November 2008 and launched its first commercial flights from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi and Đà Nẵng International Airport in Đà Nẵng on 25 November 2008.[2] After a series of difficulties, including unresolved debts and a decrease in customers, Indochina Airlines ceased flying on November 25, 2009; its schedule was revoked two days later.
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| Founded | 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 25 November 2008 | ||||||
| Hubs | Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 1 | ||||||
| Destinations | 3 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | ||||||
| Key people | Nguyễn Long Thiên (Chairman) | ||||||
| Website | www.indochinaairlines.vn | ||||||
Establishment
editThe company was first incorporated and licensed as "Air Speed Up" in May 2008. The Vietnamese name, Tăng Tốc, as spelled, means "speed up"; however, if written without accents (i.e., Tang Toc), could be interpreted as "death and grief" (Tang Tóc). For this reason, the company applied for a name change soon after it was licensed. Initially, company chairman Hà Hùng Dũng planned to purchase the Viet Airways brand owned by Jetstar Pacific Airlines,[3] but Jetstar Pacific declined the sale, citing the desire to develop the Viet Airways brand in the future.[citation needed]
Realizing the great potential in the field of international logistics, Indochina Airlines has embarked on restructuring, shifting its operations to international cargo transportation. Instead of continuing to compete in the commercial aviation sector, the airline has set a goal of becoming a reliable partner for businesses and individuals in Vietnam who need to send goods internationally.
Indochina Airlines is actively rebuilding its brand image by expanding partnerships with international carriers. At the same time, the airline is constantly investing in technology and infrastructure to meet the increasing demands of the global logistics market. With this transformation, Indochina Airlines hopes to affirm its new position in the transportation industry, while contributing to the development of Vietnam's logistics sector on the international map.
Destinations
editIndochina Airlines ended service to all destinations in November 2009.[4] While active, it served the following destinations:
Fleet
editThe Indochina Airlines fleet, at its peak, consisted of two wet-leased Boeing 737-800s.[6] Due to financial problems, the airline's last remaining aircraft was returned to its lessor Travel Service Airlines on November 25, 2009. Indochina Airlines was officially declared bankrupt on December 15, 2009[citation needed].
References
edit- ^ Indochina marred by problems from the start. LifeinVN.
- ^ "Indochina expected to take off in November". vnbusinessnews. 2008-10-22. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
- ^ Air Speed Up wants to change name Archived February 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. VietnamNet Bridge.
- ^ "Hãng hàng không "Hà Dũng" trả chiếc máy bay cuối cùng - Sự kiện trong ngày - Dân trí". Archived from the original on 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ vnexpress
- ^ "Indochina Airlines Fleet". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-10-30.