Etihad expands to HCMC

BANGKOK, 3 September 2012: Etihad Airways will operate a daily nonstop flight between Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City 1 October.

It will be the third Middle East carriers offering flights to Vietnam, after Qatar Airways (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok) and Emirates (Ho Chi Minh City nonstop from Dubai).

Previously, Etihad sold fares to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok but through a codeshare partnership with Vietnam Airlines.

Etihad has developed an extensive network routed through its home base in Abu Dhabi turning  the Middle East city into a  gateway to Asia/Pacific.  The addition of nonstop flights to Vietnam will further erode Bangkok’s position as the region’s gateway.

At the present, there are no details of the timetable. However, the airline will use a two-class A330-200 aircraft with 262 seats that will give the route a weekly capacity of 3,668 seats round-trip.

Etihad’s president and CEO, James Hogan, said: “The route will be ideal to carry passengers and cargo point to point from the United Arab Emirates, as well as from Etihad Airways destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America.

“The new air services to Ho Chi Minh City are set to meet growing demand from Vietnam’s rapidly expanding economy and will support the country’s increasing commercial ties with the United Arab Emirates, and in particular Abu Dhabi.”

UAE investment in Vietnam now stands at more than US$3 billion and two-way trade revenue approximately US$1.3 billion.

In addition, Air Astana will commence a twice weekly service to HCMC via Bangkok from 16 December and Aerosvit Airlines will start a twice-weekly seasonal service from Kiev effective 29 October.

Ho Chi Minh City is served by 36 Airlines offering year-round schedule services.

Sourced: ttrweekly