Vietjet announces plan to open direct routes from Vietnam to Australia
Today, Vietjet and Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), Queensland, Australia signed an agreement to open a non-stop service between Ho Chi Minh City and Brisbane, looking to boost the region's integration and trade exchange. Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and senior leaders of Vietnam and Australia witnessed the signing ceremony in Sydney. The direct flight route between the two cities is expected to launch in 2019.
Julieanne Alroe, CEO and Managing Director of BAC, said travel between Queensland and Vietnam has been growing at an average 8 per cent per annum over the last five years and this new service would further stimulate the market. "It makes perfect sense for Vietjet to choose Brisbane, Queensland as its very first Australian port for direct flights given Ho Chi Minh City is one of Brisbane's top five markets without non-stop services. We look forward to welcoming Vietjet to the Brisbane Airport family and further strengthening the ties between Queensland and Vietnam," she said.
As the capital of Queensland, located in Southeast Australia, 900 kilometers from Sydney in the north, Brisbane is the third populous city of Australia and known as "the new world city" by the locals. The city has been renowned for its young, dynamic and friendly people with fast economic growth in the recent years. With mild weather ranging from 15ºC to 25ºC in the winter and from 25ºC to 25ºC in the summer, Brisbane is becoming the ideal destination for international students and tourists, especially those from the Asia Pacific, including Vietnam.
Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh said: "Following the airline's "Sky Connection" program, Vietjet has been well prepared for international aviation integration with high-quality and friendly services in order to connect Vietnam's economic and tourism hubs with international destinations, including Australia - this amazing country that we expect to be soon connected with so we can offer more air travel opportunities to Vietnamese people and regional travelers. The Ho Chi Minh City-Brisbane route is also the first non-stop service between the two cities under the cooperation and support of Brisbane Airport Corporation and Tourism & Events Queensland. I believe that this service will soon be put into operation, meeting increasing travel demand of many people and tourists."
Also, as part of Vietnam Prime Minister's official visit to Australia, Vietjet and Investec Bank PLC signed a MOU worth US$609 million to finance the purchase of five Airbus A321 aircraft at manufacturer's list price.