Vietnam welcomes First flight from Japan

"The first flight from Kansai, Osaka Province, Japan on March 18 landed in the central city of Da Nang , bringing 161 tourists and representatives of 17 travel agencies.

AirAsia offers HCM City-Jakarta flight

Cathay Pacific launches Hanoi – Dhaka cargo flight

ASIANA Airlines launches Seoul-Da Nang direct flight

During their visit, the travel industry professionals will conduct an informational tour of Da Nang golf course, Hoang Dat casino, and the Ba Na tourism site and work with municipal officials to explore the tourism potential of the city in particular and of the central region of Vietnam in general.

First visitors from Japan arrive at the Da Nang International Airport, Vietnam on the first flight from Kansai, Osaka Province, Japan on March 18.
Da Nang will have more chances to welcome Japanese visitors thanks to the direct air route from Osaka , which used to be served only by sea.

The city plans to open Japanese language courses for tour guides to serve the increasing number of visitors from Japan .

On the same day, the Seabourn Odessey cruise liner arrived with 352 holiday makers, mostly from the UK and the US , raising the total number of foreign tourists to Da Nang province in the first two months this year to 6,477.

The city plans to receive 70 thousands visitors on the occasion of the international fireworks display on March 27 and 28."

Jetstar, AirAsia firm low-cost alliance

In a world first for low-cost airlines, Jetstar and AirAsia announced Wednesday they would form a new alliance that would reduce costs and pool expertise, ultimately resulting in cheaper fares for both.

The carriers said in a statement they would focus on cost reduction and potential savings.

The statement said the key to the agreement was a proposed joint specification for the next generation of narrow-bodied aircraft that would best meet the needs of the low fare customer of the future.

Both airline groups will also investigate opportunities for the joint procurement of aircraft.

Alan Joyce, chief executive officer of Australia’s Qantas Airways, Jetstar’s parent, said the historic non-equity alliance would give the two airlines a natural advantage in one of the world’s most competitive aviation markets.

“Jetstar and AirAsia offer unmatched reach in the Asia Pacific region… and this new alliance will enable them to maximize that scale,� he said.

The Asian aviation market is a growth market which has proven resilient over the past 12 months despite the tough operating environment, with significant growth in passenger numbers forecast in the region, thestatement said.

“Year on year, Jetstar is reducing its controllable costs by up to 5 per cent annually. This agreement will enable a further change in our cost position and ensure sustainable low fares,� Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said.

He said both carriers want to work with manufacturers on the next generation aircraft to ensure it best meets their business requirements.

AirAsia Group CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the carrier strongly believed the strategic tie-up would help it maintain its position as the lowest-cost airline in the world despite rising costs associated with the fledgling global economic recovery.

These arrangements are, where required, subject to regulatory approval.

The two largest airlines in the Asia Pacific in revenue terms jointly earned revenues of nearly AUD$3 billion (US2.74 billion) in 2009 financial year, according to the statement.

Jetstar holds a 27 percent stake in Jetstar Pacific while the sovereign fund State Capital Investment Corporation owns 69.93 percent.

Reported by Minh Quang

AirAsia opens office in City backpacer area

AirAsia opened its new sales office in the backpackers’ quarter in HCM City’s District 1 on July 7. AirAsia has achieved 87 per cent passenger occupancy rate since the start of the Bangkok-HCM City service in April. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia, said the airline would target different groups from Viet Nam to cope with rising fuel costs. He said AirAsia wanted to operate more flights between Viet Nam and Thailand as well as Malaysia to increase tourism among ASEAN nations. — VNS