U.S. airlines gaining links to Vietnam

Bloomberg News

WASHINGTON — UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. won permission to use non-U.S. partners on flights to and from Vietnam, federal officials said in a preliminary decision.

"Travelers now will have access to Vietnam in conjunction with U.S. airline services for the first time in decades," Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.

In March 2000, the United States reached an agreement with Vietnam that allowed the partnering on 21 round-trip flights. The decision, which could become final after a 15-day comment period, gives each of the carriers seven of the flights.

An agency spokesman said he did not immediately know when the airlines could begin the flights.

United plans to link with All Nippon Airways Co., Thai Airways International and Deutsche Lufthansa AG for service to Ho Chi Minh City.

Delta plans to team up with Air France for service to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; Northwest plans to offer service with Malaysia Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, also to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The partnering is called "code-sharing" because of designator codes placed on each other's tickets.