Two flights to China opened in one day

(NLDO)- On the morning of March 30, Noi Bai International Airport welcomed a new flight route from Hanoi to Fuzhou operated by Xiamen Airlines.

At 10:10 a.m. on March 30, Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) officially welcomed Xiamen Airlines flight number MF8697 departing from Fuzhou (China), marking the opening of a regular international flight connecting Fuzhou and Hanoi. Noi Bai Airport solemnly held a water cannon ceremony - a special ceremony in the civil aviation industry for inaugural flights or special events.

Noi Bai Airport welcomes the opening of the Hanoi - Phuc Chau route. Photo: Phan Cong

The opening ceremony was held at Passenger Terminal T2 with the participation of representatives from both sides: Mr. Hoang Thanh Quang - Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport, Mr. Trinh Thieu Hong - Vice President of the Chinese Business Association in Vietnam, representatives of Xiamen Airlines and related units. Notably, flight MF8697 also had the participation of 25 representatives from Vietnamese travel companies, on a tourism survey trip in Fujian province. This is expected to be the beginning of new tourism programs, contributing to increasing the two-way flow of tourists between Vietnam and China.

The Fuzhou - Hanoi route is operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a frequency of 4 round trips per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight time is approximately 1 hour 35 minutes, significantly shortening the travel time compared to traditional connecting flights.

Noi Bai Airport welcomes the opening of the Hanoi - Fuzhou route. Photo: NIA

Flight MF8697 also had the participation of 25 representatives from Vietnamese travel companies, on a tourism survey trip in Fujian province. Photo: NIA

Noi Bai International Airport currently serves an average of 550 flights per day, with about 90,000 passengers, of which nearly 50% are international passengers. In 2024, the airport served more than 30 million passengers and is continuing to expand its flight network, improve service quality and ensure absolute safety in operations.

On the same day, Vietnam Airlines launched a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Daxing (Beijing). The first flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing (China) with flight number VN516 officially departed at 0:45 on March 30 and landed at Daxing International Airport at 6:30 the same day (local time). On the occasion of the opening, Vietnam Airlines organized a flower ceremony to welcome the crew and souvenirs for all passengers on the special flight.

In the opposite direction, Vietnam Airlines held an opening ceremony at Daxing International Airport with special activities such as art performances, ribbon cutting ceremony, and presentation of flowers and gifts to flight crew and passengers. Flight VN517 took off from Daxing Airport at 8:30 a.m. on March 30 (local time) and landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 12:25 p.m. the same day (local time).

The Ho Chi Minh City - Beijing route is operated with a frequency of 5 flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays using Airbus A321 aircraft. With the opening of the new route, Vietnam Airlines will operate a total of 6 routes between Vietnam and China with a frequency of 40 flights per week, connecting major cities of the two countries such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou.

The Ho Chi Minh City - Beijing route is expected to promptly meet the growing travel demand between Vietnam and China. Photo: VNA

The Ho Chi Minh City - Beijing route is expected to promptly meet the growing travel demand between Vietnam and China. According to the General Statistics Office, in 2024, the number of Chinese visitors to Vietnam will reach more than 3.7 million, an increase of 214% compared to 2023, making China the best growing market of the year.

To mark the 30th anniversary of its establishment and development (1995-2025), inheriting the nearly 70-year tradition of the 919th Transport Air Force Regiment, Vietnam Airlines will open and restore 15 new international routes in 2025, continuing to expand its flight network connecting to countries such as Italy, Denmark, the Middle East, Russia, China, etc.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/mot-ngay-khai-truong-2-duong-bay-den-trung-quoc-196250330153542339.htm