Air New Zealand unveils maiden direct service to Vietnam

Air New Zealand (Air NZ) is poised to launch a new air route to Ho Chi Minh City in mid-2016, as part of its plan to expand presence in the Pacific Rim.

The Auckland – Ho Chi Minh City route will be the carrier’s first-ever nonstop service to Vietnam, Air NZ announced on its website on Friday.

The Kiwi airline will operate the service three times a week on a seasonal basis, operating from June to October in 2016, with the potential to expand the season in subsequent years, according to the announcement.

With a flight time of around 11 hours, the direct service will be operated by Boeing 767-300 aircraft, with tickets expected to go on sale in early 2016, according to Air NZ.

“Visitors to Vietnam can soak up the French influence, sample the regional food offerings, discover more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline and explore the country"s history,” the carrier said.

The airline also hopes to attract Kiwi vacationers to explore Vietnamese holiday destinations with wide appeal, “from the beauty of Ha Long Bay and the mountains in the north, to the ancient port city of Hoi An, beach resorts on the southeast coast and the markets on the Mekong River.”

With the addition of services to Ho Chi Minh City, Air NZ will now fly to 30 international destinations, according to the carrier.

Air NZ said there is potential for the season to be expanded in years to come after the three-month basis from June 2016.

Air NZ currently has to cooperate with Singapore Airlines to bring passengers to Vietnam via connecting flights.

The upcoming nonstop service would be significantly more convenient, and quicker than current indirect options, according to Air NZ CEO Christopher Luxon.

"It will also provide a direct link for Vietnamese travelers coming to New Zealand and we look forward to welcoming them," he told One News, the news division of New Zealand television network TVNZ.

The number of Kiwis visiting Vietnam has increased some 20 percent in the past year, according to the CEO.

New Zealand’s Flight Centre says fares for the Vietnam service would be in a band between $1,000 and $1,299 to be competitive with other South East Asia destinations, according to The New Zealand Herald.

Vietnam is becoming a go-to holiday spot for New Zealanders, besides Thailand or Indonesia’s Bali.

Some 10,000 Kiwis will therefore be table to take advantage of the new service to visit Vietnam, with 700 seats per week available over five months, The New Zealand Herald quoted Brent Thomas, commercial director of travel agent chain House of Travel, as saying.

"At the moment, Vietnam seems to be more of an adventure destination,” he said.

“We believe the direct flight to Ho Chi Minh is likely to open up the central Vietnam beaches, to become more of a relaxation destination."

The Kiwi tourist arrival numbers to Vietnam rose to 15,000 in 2014, from 12,400 a year earlier, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

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Air New Zealand unveils maiden direct service to Vietnam

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