Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn

PANO – Air services between Vietnam and the United Kingdom will be increased as officials from the two countries have reached an important agreement in Hanoi on May 6th.

According to the British Embassy in Hanoi, officials from the United Kingdom Department for Transport, accompanied by representatives from British Airways and the British Embassy concluded successful discussions with the Civil Aviation Department of Vietnam and Vietnam Airlines to help facilitate direct bilateral air services between the UK and Vietnam with the aim to have services commencing in autumn 2011.

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

It is expected that the services will benefit both Vietnam and the UK by enabling increased bilateral trade, easier access for Vietnamese students to British education institutions and promoting cultural links ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 “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,” said British Ambassador Dr. Antony Stokes.

“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 the autumn,” he said.

“This is an excellent opportunity for both our countries ahead of such events as the London 2012 Olympic Games,” the ambassador added.

Vietnam Airlines is considering to operate up to four services a week to London, twice weekly from HCMC and twice weekly from Hanoi starting this autumn.

UK airlines are also actively considering commencing services.

Ngoc Hung