The milestone event took place on the afternoon of 10/8, coinciding with the state visit to Australia by General Secretary, President To Lam from 9-12/8, at the invitation of Governor-General Sam Mostyn. This celebration highlights the significant development of air connectivity between Vietnam and Australia over the past 35 years.

Vietnam Airlines, the national airline, currently operates 25 weekly round-trip flights. These routes directly connect Hanoi and TP HCM with three major Australian cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The airline prioritizes modern wide-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, to enhance the passenger experience on these long-haul journeys.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa congratulates the 7,5 millionth passenger. *Photo: Vietnam Airlines*

Statistics from the first six months of the year reveal robust growth in the aviation market between the two countries. Over 809.000 passengers traveled on these routes, marking an 11,5% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, flights consistently maintained a high seat occupancy rate, averaging over 83%.

"This result reflects the positive travel demand from passengers, ranging from tourism and family visits to official and business purposes," a representative of the airline stated.

The expansion of the airline network runs parallel with advancements in diplomatic relations. Following the upgrade of the Vietnam - Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, air connectivity has played an increasingly crucial role in promoting economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. "Expanding flight routes not only shortens geographical distances but also creates a foundation for the growth of many other industries," affirmed Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa speaks at the celebration. *Photo: Vietnam Airlines*

Mr. Hoa further stated that each new route opens opportunities for cooperation in investment and tourism. He emphasized Australia's position as a key market and affirmed aviation's role as strategic infrastructure for the economy. The airline is committed to continued investment in its flight network, enhancing service quality, and strengthening international cooperation to meet development demands in the new phase.

As part of its activities in Australia, Vietnam Airlines exchanged cooperation agreements at the Vietnam - Australia Science and Technology, Innovation, Investment, Education and Training Forum. These agreements were with Trip.com Group and RMIT University International. Additionally, the airline, alongside tourism promotion agencies, signed cooperation agreements with Flight Centre Travel Group to develop products and expand the customer market. These agreements focus on promoting destinations, training high-quality aviation human resources, and strengthening connections among businesses.

Vietnam Airlines plans to expand its operational scale, collaborating with partners to foster the comprehensive cooperative relationship between the two countries in the future. The increased flight frequency and service quality are expected to continue attracting more investment capital and a large number of tourists from Australia to Vietnam.

Thanh Thu