Vietnam Airlines signs comprehensive strategic partnership with Air France

Vietnam Airlines and Air France have announced the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership allowing the two airlines to optimise their services between France, Europe and Vietnam and to strengthen their positions in a buoyant but highly competitive market.

This new joint venture starts in November and is expected to bring additional benefits to customers.

Through this agreement Vietnam Airlines and Air France are committed to offering more flight options and convenience to passengers through a collaboration in their flight schedules.

Via three hubs Hanoi-Noi Bai, Ho Chi Minh City-Tan Son Nhat and Paris-Charles de Gaulle, passengers can travel to 50 destinations in Europe on Air France’s routes (compared to 14 destinations today) and Vietnam’s 20 destinations on Vietnam Airlines’ routes, not to mention SkyTeam Alliance’s global network consisting of more than 1,000 global destinations.

“Vietnam Airlines and Air France started a code-share cooperation in 2010, when Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam Global Alliance.

“After the completion of the four-star service programme, Vietnam Airlines expects to take the current joint venture with Air France to the next level in order to reach our full potential in France and Europe,” said Duong Tri Thanh, president and chief executive of Vietnam Airlines.

“Thanks to the new strategic partnership, our customers, including businesses and individuals, will enjoy comprehensive services and benefits, contributing to the development and connection between the two countries and two continents.

“Cooperation with Air France also demonstrates Vietnam Airlines’ commitment and determination in boosting investment in the international market, especially the French and European markets through the key routes between Vietnam and France.”

Over the past 20 years, the two airlines have been working together on the operational side, with a partnership in the fields of aircraft maintenance and crew training.

Since 1997, Air France has cooperated with Vietnam Airlines to train pilots and successfully transferred operative technology of ten new A320 aircraft at that time.

Currently, the two companies are actively discussing the possibility of cooperation to improve Vietnam Airlines competency in technical maintenance of aircraft equipment.

“Consolidating our alliances is one of the aims of our Trust Together strategic plan.

“This joint venture agreement will be a long-term source of value for our customers and for our two airlines.

“Our aim is to maintain and develop our position as European leader in this region with very strong growth potential,” said Franck Terner, chief executive, Air France.
France is one of the biggest and most important markets for Vietnam Airlines in Europe since the launch of its first direct flight to Paris in 2003.