VIETNAM

Foreign Airline Operation Rules Liberalized: Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority said it will license foreign airlines to conduct business directly in the country, the Lao Dong newspaper reported. Airlines will be allowed to sell tickets and conduct marketing, commercial development and advertising without undertaking a joint venture with the national air carrier, Vietnam Airlines. The paper said 14 foreign airlines are also asking to be allowed to recruit their own staff people. Foreign airlines operating in Vietnam have been required to join forces with Vietnam Airlines, which supplied staff members, office space and carried out any commercial business.