Vietnam revokes Indochina Airlines licence

Vietnam’s Transport Ministry has revoked the operating licence of Indochina Airlines, after the private carrier failed to operate any flights for more than a year. Indochina Airlines became Vietnam’s first ever private airline when it commenced operations in 2008, operating two leased Boeing 737s on routes from Ho Chi Minh city to Hanoi and Danang. It grounded its planes in 2009 however, due to financial difficulties.

Despite promises that it would restart operations in 2011, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), which proposed that the ministry revokes the license, said Indochina Airlines had “no clear intention” to resume services.

Local news site, VN Express reported that the company is US$1.3 million in debt.