Passengers can now find flights between France and Vietnam daily, according to an announcement from the airline’s representative office in Paris.
This is the first time in Vietnam Airlines’ history that every Wednesday there are two Boeing 777 planes flying from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris to Vietnam’s two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.
Vietnam Airlines’ decision to increase flights from France, even though the world economic crisis is not yet over, was made following signs of economic recovery in Europe, said Le Dung, Chief Representative for the airline in Paris.
The move is also in preparation for Vietnam to join the international aviation alliance - Skyteam, Dung added.
According to the airline representative, France will continue to be a major market with great potential for the airline due to the long-established in historical, cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
Vietnam has been a favourite destination for French tourists for a long time. Together with overseas Vietnamese living in France, they have been a consistent and important source of customers for the airline.
The decision to increase flights from Paris – a crucial gateway to connect with most major European destinations - is seen as a step forward in the airline’s long-term plan to expand activities in other international markets after 2010.
Although the airline has just conducted regular flights to three European countries - France, Germany and Russia - it has expanded its ticket outlet system to almost every country in central and north-western Europe, including Britain and Northern Ireland.