Air New Zealand launches direct flights to Vietnam

Mr. Steven Joyce, Minister of Economic Development, Education and Skills of New Zealand, said that the launch of direct flights to Vietnam opens a new chapter in bringing people of the two countries closer together. This is also an important milestone in cooperation in the field of transportation between the two countries and strengthens the relationship between the two countries.

Air New Zealand's first direct flight from Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City arrives at Tan Son Nhat airport.

The direct flight route Auckland – Ho Chi Minh City will help enhance exchanges and cooperation in education, tourism and economic development, especially when both sides participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

Mr. Truong Quang Nghia, Minister of Transport and Communications, said: "When there is a direct flight, Vietnamese people will be able to buy New Zealand apples and kiwis with good quality and cheaper prices. In return, mangoes, dragon fruits and other fruits from Vietnam will reach the New Zealand market in the fastest way. In addition, this direct flight will create opportunities for tourism and education cooperation between the two countries," Mr. Nghia said.

Mr. Cam Wallace - Director of Sales and Commercial of Air New Zealand said that the route to Ho Chi Minh City has increased the number of international destinations of Air New Zealand to 30. "This new route is part of our expansion plan in the Southeast Asia region and is a strategic focus of the airline in the Pacific Rim".

Air New Zealand’s direct service from Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City, which will be operated seasonally with a frequency of three flights per week from now until the end of October, will use Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The Ho Chi Minh City route is operated by Air New Zealand following the launch of new routes in Houston, Buenos Aires and Beijing last December. The airline will continue to launch direct flights from Auckland to Manila (Philippines) in December this year.

The first flight of Air New Zealand on the Auckland - Ho Chi Minh City route officially arrived at the port on the evening of June 5.

According to Investment Newspaper