Mekong Air becomes third private Vietnamese carrier

The government approved Wednesday an operating license for Mekong Aviation Joint-Stock Co., making it the country’s third private air carrier, according to the government website.

Mekong Air, which has an initial capital of VND200 billion (US$11.9 million), would start flights in 2010 with 10 planes including some ATR 72 aircraft, Wednesday’s statement said, without giving further details. Vietjet Aviation Joint-Stock Co., in which Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd. has a stake, was the country’s first privately owned carrier when it started flights last year. The second, Air Speed Up, is due to enter service at the end of the year. Source: Bloomberg