Typhoon-delayed flights resume, rail lines still blocked
11:57 04/03/2009

      Vietnam’s two air carriers have announced the resumption of HCMC-Hanoi flights, while train travel is not yet available due to Typhoon Xangsane, which hit the central region Sunday.

Vietnam Airlines said it would reopen six flights from Hanoi to HCMC and vice versa from Monday.

Pacific Airlines said it had restarted HCMC-Hanoi trips from 1:30 pm Sunday.

Spokesman for Vietnam Airlines Nguyen Tan Chan said that although flights to typhoon-hit Danang city and Nha Trang were still on hold, they would resume once airports in the two cities reopened.

Passengers who had already bought tickets would get first priority, Chan added.

Also according to Head of Vietnam Airlines’ Flight Operational Center Le Ngoc Long, those passengers could change their flight destinations and dates without fees.

Rail travel

Regarding Vietnam Railway Corporation (VRC), four trains SE3, SE4, SE5 and SE6 on the HCMC-Hanoi route are being held at local railway stations in central provinces.

The North-South routes TN1, TN2, TN3, and TN4 were also delayed at their origins.

VRC added it had to mobilize forces to remove fallen trees along rail lines that traverse  the Hai Van pass in central Vietnam.

“If the weather holds, the trains will resume on Monday,” VRC official said.

Three days ago, Vietnam Airlines had announced route changes for international flights and the delay of some 50 local flights, while, schedules for flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City remained unchanged.

The VRC, on the other hand, had said to postpone some trains for three consecutive days beginning Saturday.

Source: Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre – Compiled by Luu Thi Hong

Source : thanhniennews.com