Emirates adds Vietnam to its global network with Airbus A330-200

Friday, 06 January 2012 07:00

Aviation News - International News

Emirates has announced it will be expanding its network in South East Asia with the addition of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from June 4 2012. Emirates will initially use an Airbus A330-200 in a two class configuration on the daily non-stop route from Dubai

to Ho Chi Minh City, but from October 28 2012 this service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER in a two class configuration.

“Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline, as our global network continues to expand,” said Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline.  

“Emirates will offer tourists and business travellers, particularly from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a convenient option to access Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most vibrant places in South East Asia and we are convinced that this will prove to be a highly popular route. We look forward to growing our partnership with Vietnam and would like to thank the Government and Airport Authorities for their support in the planning of our launch,” Clark added.  

Ho Chi Minh City is set to become the airline’s 124th destination, and its eighth route launch in 2012, following on from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro on January 3; Dublin on January 9; Lusaka and Harare on February 1; Dallas on February 2 and Seattle on March 1.

Ho Chi Minh City, home to over seven million people, is recognised as Vietnam’s commercial capital.  The city offers tourists the ideal gateway to explore the wonders of Vietnam, be it the shopping options in the city, the various UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An, the islands of Halong Bay, the beaches of Nha Trang or the floating markets and restaurants of the Mekong River Delta.  

Trade between the UAE and Vietnam exceeded $24 million in 2010 and Emirates, through its cargo arm SkyCargo, has had an active presence in the market for a number of years. Vietnamese exports – which range the full value chain from high-end tablet PCs, smartphones and printers to garments, sportswear and shoes – have been shipped through other Emirates’ Asian gateways including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on to European, American, Middle Eastern and African markets.(Arabian Aerospace/AC)