Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines enter joint venture

By combining strengths and resources, from August 1, the two airlines hope to offer a stronger combined network and seamless connectivity for passengers flying between Vietnam and China through schedule coordination and code-share arrangements.

Photo: Vietnam Airlines

To facilitate passenger transfers, both carriers have introduced Inter-Airline Through Check-in, enabling travellers to obtain boarding passes for up to three connecting flight segments at their initial point of departure. Additionally, members of both airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will enjoy a wide range of benefits, including priority check-in, expedited baggage handling, increased baggage allowance, and priority boarding.

Nguyen Quang Trung, director of Corporate Planning and Development of Vietnam Airlines, said, "The launch of a joint venture partnership with China Southern Airlines marks a new chapter in our cooperation, reinforcing our shared commitment to delivering enhanced value and seamless connectivity for our passengers on routes between China and Vietnam. Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen air travel links and contribute to the development of economic, cultural and social ties between China and Vietnam."

Zhang Dongsheng, deputy director general of Commercial Steering Committee, China Southern Airlines added, "In recent years, China Southern Airlines has tapped into international aviation markets through bilateral cooperation, establishing a global network of partnerships. This joint venture with Vietnam Airlines marks a significant step forward in our internationalisation strategy. We will build an air bridge between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Vietnam to facilitate regional economic, trade and cultural exchanges."

China Southern Airlines has long been a key strategic partner of Vietnam Airlines in the Chinese market. In 2010, the two airlines began a codeshare agreement on routes between Vietnam and China, marking an important step in connecting the two aviation markets.

Building on this success, Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2022, signifying a new milestone in deepening cooperation across various areas including commerce, services, and technical operations. Both parties committed to prioritising the use of each other’s services at airports where they operate, while coordinating to develop their respective hub airports to enhance operational efficiency and expand the route network between Vietnam and China.

China Southern Airlines is committed to building two major comprehensive international aviation hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing, positioning Guangzhou as the primary gateway from the Chinese mainland to Southeast Asia, serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. Currently, it operates direct flights from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Wuhan, and Shanghai Pudong to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang, with a peak weekly capacity of 111 flights.

Vietnam Airlines, as Vietnam’s flag carrier, boasts an extensive route network with direct services connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and connecting Nha Trang to Tianjin, Wuhan, Nanjing, Shanghai, Jinan, Changzhou, Wuxi. During peak periods, it provides over 50 weekly flights.

This year marks the 'China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchange', presenting new opportunities for the aviation market. This cooperation signifies a new phase in civil aviation collaboration between China and Vietnam, which will drive growth in the tourism markets of both countries and further promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

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