Vietnam Airlines has asked for 64 more aircraft than it originally requested in its development plan last year, more than doubling its fleet over the next eight years.

The airline cited enhanced expansion plans in Asia, Europe, the Pacific and Atlantic , an airline source has said.

Under the new proposal sent to Ministry of Transportation, the airline wants to increase its fleet from its present 75 aircraft to 112 aircraft by 2015 and 171 by 2020.

Last year, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had approved a fleet plan of 85 aircraft by 2015 and 107 by 2020.

Vietnam Airlines said it asks for the plan to be revised to expand its routes, both domestic and international.

The airline said it wants to exploit routes to Laos , Cambodia and Myanmar , expand flights in Asia and open new routes in Europe and across the Pacific and Atlantic .

At present, Vietnam Airlines' fleet of 75 aircraft serve 47 international and 38 domestic routes.-VNA