Over 350 logistics experts from airline and logistic firms worldwide gathered for a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on April 24 to discuss ways to enhance aviation transport cooperation.

Participants focused their discussions on development trends of aviation transport and new challenges facing airlines in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific.

Do Xuan Quang, President of the Vietnam Logistics Association, said the event provided a venue for Vietnamese enterprises to seek new opportunities for developing supply chains, adding that it is also a chance for foreign firms to enhance their strength and position in the Vietnamese market.

According to Vo Huy Cuong, Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, there are over 50 international airlines from 25 countries and territories providing services in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s aviation market ranks third in the world for average growth. The airlines operating in the country have consistently achieved high and stable growth, hitting 12 percent and 12.6 percent in passenger and goods transport, respectively, from 2010-2014.

However, links between airlines and logistics firms have been largely ignored.

At the event, participants also debated how to connect air transport with the logistics sector, which is said to play an important role in fostering the development of the aviation transport industry.

The Ministry of Transport has deployed a sector restructuring plan and designed projects to improve capacity in management and utilisation of infrastructure facilities in a bid to develop logistic services.

Rodrigo Rayes, Regional Cargo Manager of the International Air Transport Association, underlined that to speed up the development of aviation transport, it is necessary to build a transparent, synchronous and comprehensive framework for the entire transport process.-VNA