Vietnam Airlines CEO and Director General Nguyen Sy Hung said the five ATR 72-500 planes will help to meet the demand for short-range travel between regions in the country and between Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia.

ATR Managing Director Stephane Mayer said the Asian market, including Vietnam, has become an important customer to his company with regional purchases totalling 100 ATR planes in the past three years.

Vietnam Airlines put into service cost-saving technology ATR 75-500 in September 2001.

At present, the airline operates 10 ATR 72 planes for short-range routes. It intends to buy more to meet the growing demand for local travel.

 
The national flag carrier plans to increase its aircraft fleet to 86 in 2015 and 110 in 2020.