Vietnam, UK to commence direct flights

Vietnam and United Kingdom have arrived at an agreement to commence direct air services between the two countries.

Officials from the U K Department of Transport, accompanied by representatives of British Airways and the British Embassy, held successful discussions in Hanoi with the Civil Aviation Department of Vietnam and Vietnam Airlines(VA) today. Both UK and Vietnam plan to commence air services by autumn 2011.

Following strengthened UK, Vietnam relations in September 2010 under the bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreement, both countries are committed to developing stronger and closer links. A direct air service is a very significant step in achieving that.

It is hoped that the service will benefit both Vietnam and the UK by enabling increased bilateral trade, easier access for Vietnamese students to study in British education institutions and promote more cultural links ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

British Ambassador Antony Stokes said “I am delighted that direct flights between the UK and Vietnam are today a step closer. This is a very real and positive signal of our increasingly warm and close relationship across our entire bilateral agenda.

The confirmed details of this new route such as frequency and timings should emerge soon and I very much look forward to the anticipated launch of services in autumn. This is an excellent opportunity for both our countries ahead of such events as the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

VA is considering operating up to four weekly flights to London, twice weekly from Ho Chi Minh City and twice weekly from Hanoi starting this autumn. UK airlines are also actively considering commencing their air services. – SGGP

Tags: Vietnam aviation, Vietnam aviation industry, Vietnam aviation market, Vietnam flights to UK

Posted by VBN on May 6 2011. Filed under Aviation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry