Vietnam Airlines’ 160 millionth passenger – a Republic of Korea citizen – landed at Noi Bai airport on December 27.

Vietnam Airlines holds a ceremony to welcome the 160 millionth passenger (Photo:Vietnam Airlines)

Bhang Shang Chul was the lucky passenger arriving on a flight from Incheon.

The same day, the national flag carrier also received its 17 millionth passenger in 2015, who travelled from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi on flight VN240. The flight marked a milestone of 250,000 passengers travelling on the airline’s Airbus A350-900 this year.

According to Transport Minister Dinh La Thang, the two events reflected the effective operation of the national flag carrier since it was established 20 years ago.

During the past two decades, Vietnam Airlines has operated more than 1.39 million international and domestic flights, with the annual growth rate averaging 11 percent.

In 2015 alone, the company is estimated to carry more than 17.4 million passengers on over 127,500 flights, surpassing its yearly target by 3.5 percent.

The year also saw the company restructuring into a joint stock company.

The same year, Vietnam Airlines added Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900 aircraft to its fleet and launched its new trademark recognition blitz.

VNA