Vietnam will become one of the third largest emerging aviation markets in the world, according to Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao (United Morning) newspaper in its October 23 edition.

The paper reported Vietnam’s demand for air travel has achieved a two-digit growth in 2013, creating a plenty of opportunities for world renowned aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.

Vietnamese aviation companies plan to increase their fleets, open new routes and equitise themselves to mobilise more operational capital.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast by 2014 Vietnam would become the world’s third fastest growing market for international passengers and freight, after China and Brazil.

The association predicted the Vietnamese aviation market would transport 34-36 million passengers and 850,000-930,000 tonnes of cargoes by 2015, and 52-59 million passengers and 1.4-1.6 million tonnes of cargoes by 2019.

The paper quoted Vietnam’s aviation industry statistics, saying the number of passengers on domestic routes will increase 15 percent in the coming year, tripling the 2012 figure.

The burgeoning aviation industry will help fuel Vietnam ’s economy which has slowed down over the past two years, said the paper.-VNA