Vietnam Airlines has unveiled a fresh plan to launch its first air service to the U.S. in 2018, said Duong Tri Thanh, chief executive officer of the national flag carrier.

Thanh told BBC on July 14 after Vietnam Airlines was recognized as a four-star airline by UK-based airline and airport rating organization Skytrax that the carrier planned to fly to the U.S. a decade ago to bank on the then improvement in economic and trade ties between the two countries.

However, the airline delayed the plan for certain reasons and now wants to restart it.

“We have planned to open the air route in 2018,” Thanh said, adding the service is part of the airline’s plan to expand its global market share.

To prepare for the U.S.-bound service, the carrier last year started upgrading its service quality to meet four-star standards and has operated new Airbus A350-900 aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners to gradually replace old wide-body planes.

The fleet upgrade was aimed at supporting Vietnam Airlines’ inter-continental flights to North America, Europe and Australia.

However, travel demand dampened by economic difficulties in Europe and rising competition from Middle Eastern airlines have affected long-term expansion plans of many airlines, including Vietnam Airlines.

Furthermore, delays in the delivery of new aircraft by two to three years has impacted Vietnam Airlines’ plans to open new routes to North America and increase services to Europe.