October 11, 2017 | 21:51 (GMT+7)
Vietnam Airlines, Air France sign cooperation deal
PANO – Vietnam Airlines and Air France signed an agreement on October 10 in Hanoi to expand cooperation with air routes between Vietnam and France. The deal will take effect from November 1, 2017.
On the basis of comprehensive cooperation and strength exploitation of each side, both airlines have committed to providing more choices and convenience for customers by connecting networks of the two carriers and connecting flights to 50 destinations in Europe (as compared to 14 destinations at present) and 21 domestic destinations in Vietnam via the transit centers of Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Paris-Charles De Gaulle airports.
The two carriers will also cooperate to exchange experiences so as to enhance the quality of services and carry out promotional programs to meet customers’ demand, especially customers of the Lotusmiles and Flying Blue programs of Vietnam Airlines and Air France, respectively.
Director-General of Vietnam Airlines Duong Tri Thanh said that the deal is expected to expand cooperation between the two airlines. The agreement signed with Air France has shown the commitment of Vietnam Airlines to penetrating international markets, especially French and European countries, through key air routes between Vietnam and France. The Director-General of Air France Franck Terner said the joint venture deal with Vietnam Airlines is one of the goals of the strategic development plan of Air France named “Trust Together”. The deal will bring long-lasting values for customers and both airlines. Air France’s general goal is to maintain the leading position of the European carrier in this region of development potential.
For 20 years now, both airlines have built up sustainable cooperation relations in various fields. Air France has been providing assistance programs to train pilots and technical staff as well as transfer the technology to exploit A320 aircraft for Vietnam Airlines since 1997. At present, the two airlines are actively providing mutual support in maintaining airplanes and human resources training.
France is one of the most important and the largest market for Vietnam Airlines in Europe, especially since the Vietnamese carrier launched direct flights to Paris in 2003.
Translated by Chung Anh