Consequently, the 200 millionth passengers was Vietnamese Nguyen Truong Chinh, who took flight No. VN223 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, landing at the airport at 10:10 am on that same day. He was followed by two other Vietnamese – Ngo Huy Hoang and Phan Thi Thanh Hang.

Speaking at the ceremony, the General Director of Vietnam Airlines, Duong Tri Thanh, emphasized that this was a milestone in the airline’s development history of more than two decades, adding that the ceremony was also their tribute to every passenger who puts their trust in Vietnam Airlines on each and every flight, while he also pledged to continue to improve the airline’s services in the future.

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The 200 millionth passengers was Vietnamese Nguyen Truong Chinh ( second from right). Source: nld.com.vn

Since 1995, Vietnam Airlines has operated more than 1.6 million flights on both international and domestic routes and recently posted an average passenger growth rate of 11 per cent per year.

The carrier earned a turnover of more than VND 777 trillion (US$ 34 billion) in the past 22 years, with an average growth of 15.62 per cent per year. It earned pre-tax profit of nearly VND 18 trillion in the 22-year period and contributed VND 41 trillion to the State coffers.

At the event, Vietnam Airlines also officially launched “Flights of Love” – an activity for the good of the community to support “better-life” projects. Owners of “Flights of Love” cards will be provided with free tickets on all flights. The first three projects of “Flights of Love” are “Flood Housing Relief’, “Heart Foundation”, and “Operation Smile”.

Social responsibility is important in the development strategy of Vietnam Airlines, and the “Flights of Love” will make further significant contributions to building a sustainable development community, concluded Thanh.

Translated by Chung Anh