Shalom Shaphyr, chief representative of the firm in Vietnam , told the Daily yesterday that SES intended to bring Cessna aircraft for the service to meet the demand for medevac, business, tourism among others in the country.

Shaphyr said that SES wanted to provide air taxi under cooperation or a service agreement with Vietnam Air Service Co. (VASCO), which already operates the service in the country. Actually, SES, through one of its subsidiaries, operated air taxi with VASCO between 1993-1995 so the firm knew the market and its potential.

“Now the market is much bigger and the potential is greater as people are more receptive to air operations and see the advantages of saving time and shortening the trips from place to place,” he said.

SES, which entered Vietnam in 1987, will initially cooperate with VASCO and later apply for licenses for some specialized services unavailable in Vietnam at the moment. Shaphyr said it would take SES time to go through procedures both here and abroad.

“We know that the situation now is much better than it used to be a few years back when we first operated our aircraft here so I am sure that if we comply with all the regulations there will be no problems,” Shaphyr said.

SES intends to spend over US$20 million to bring turbo-props Cessna Grand Caravan and the executive jet Cessna Citation XLS, and their associated equipment to Vietnam . 

“Everyone can hire and use the aircraft. The Citation is for VIPs and long range medevac operations, and the Caravan is for short-range tourist transport to tourist places,” Shaphyr said.

Shaphyr detailed the Citation can take-off and land at any airports with a 500-meter-long runway while the Caravan can handle at any places including unprepared landing strips, the beach and all the latter needs is a clear place of 300 meters.

Therefore, the planes will be able to fly to Con Dao Island, Nha Trang City, Dalat, Sapa and islands in Halong Bay and many other places which are not serviced by the regular airlines or are accessible by road at present or the traveling time is too long for tourists.

The Caravan can handle up to 14 passengers and the Citation can carry up to 10.

Shaphyr declined to reveal the rent. However, he said SES would not sell air tickets for specific routes but charge per hour.

Source : SaigonTimesDaily