Vietjet Launches Airbus A330s From Hanoi To Melbourne

A little over a year ago, Vietjet was an unknown airline to most Australians but today it’s likely anyone searching for a flight to Asia has come across the ultra-low-cost carrier. Since launching its first flights to Melbourne in April 2023, Vietjet has rapidly built a name for itself and today launched its sixth route between Vietnam and Australia, with a seventh to follow on Saturday.

Nonstop to Hanoi goes live

This week, Vietjet is launching nonstop flights between Vietnam’s capital Hanoi and Melbourne and Sydney, opening up a second destination in Vietnam to complement the existing services to Ho Chi Minh City from five Australian cities. Today, it was Melbourne’s turn to welcome Vietjet’s first flight from Hanoi, while Sydney will come online on Saturday.

Vietjet flight VJ93 departed Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) on Monday at 17:39 and, after a 9:13-hour flight, arrived at Melbourne Airport (MEL) this morning at 05:52. The service was operated with a 2015 Airbus A330-300, registration VN-A817 and MSN 1646, that departed Melbourne as flight VJ94 at 07:43 and arrived in Hanoi at 14:40.

Usually, inaugural flights like this one are welcomed at the airport, but given the very early arrival time the official launching ceremony was held a few hours later in Melbourne. The event was attended by various VIPs, government ministers and officials, airline and airport executives, community leaders and Simple Flying, with Vietjet Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thanh Ha and Vice President Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh leading the ceremony.

Photo: Vietjet

Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh (pictured third from right) said Vietjet is proud to launch this new route and hopes to bring opportunities for Victorian tourists to explore Vietnam and all destinations on the airline’s network, with 168 routes across Vietnam and internationally.

“The Melbourne – Hanoi route launched today further proves our commitment to development by continuing to expand our network and providing quality services between Australia and Vietnam, meeting the expectations of locals and tourists. With this new route, we believe Vietjet will further grow in the Australian market.”

The new service will initially operate twice weekly using the widebody Airbus A330 and complement the daily Vietjet flight to Ho Chi Minh City, although the airline has a history of quickly adding more flights as soon as it spots increased demand. The market between Melbourne and Vietnam has grown by 60% from pre-COVID levels, with flights soaring from 10 to 21 weekly.

Related

Vietjet Earns $2.16 Billion Revenue Flying Its Airbus Fleet In 2023

Vietjet has proven there is money to be made in ultra-low-cost flying and has posted strong profits after carrying 25.3 million passengers in 2023.

Since launching the first flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne in April 2023, Vietjet has continuously added more services and new destinations. Today, it connects Ho Chi Minh City with Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and this week, it will add routes from Melbourne and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Hanoi to its expanding international network.

A team effort to launch routes

In today’s aviation world, launching new routes like Melbourne – Hanoi is usually a team effort between the airline, the airport and the government. The Victorian Government has been a significant supporter of Melbourne Airport in rebuilding aviation post-pandemic, while the federal government has also played a part in the case of the Vietnam market.

Photo: Vietjet

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos was also at today’s ceremony, and he said that the Vietnamese market growth had been “one of the silver linings coming out of the pandemic.” He added that the huge growth in the Vietnamese market has been made possible by new air services agreements negotiated by the [Australian] federal government, which have provided capacity ahead of demand. He added:

“We know there will be two-way demand for this service, Vietnam is in our top ten outbound destinations, meanwhile the inbound market is supported by strong trade, business and leisure demand. The increased competition and capacity delivers benefits to passengers in the form of cheaper fares but also provides exporters with access to high value markets.”

Vietnam is a key trading partner with Australia and one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Melbourne Airport is Australia’s leading airport for exports, and in the last twelve months, almost three million tonnes of local products have been loaded onto aircraft departing from Melbourne to Vietnam.

Photo: Melbourne Airport

The twice-weekly A330 flights will depart Melbourne at 07:30 on Tuesdays and Saturdays and arrive in Hanoi at 14:40 on the same day. Vietjet has a fleet of 105 aircraft operating 168 routes to 144 airports in 25 countries, with the fleet including 97 Airbus A320 family and eight A330-300 aircraft, with an additional 307 jets on order.

Photo: Michael Doran I Simple Flying

To launch the route, Vietjet is offering one-way all-in Eco tickets from AU$199 ($130) on routes between Vietnam and Australia until June 10, 2024. These tickets include the usual taxes and fees, checked baggage and a hot meal. Also, from now until June 14, 2024, business class fares are being discounted by 50% (excluding taxes and fees), which includes up to 60 kilograms of checked baggage, a private cabin and 180-degree flatbed seats.

Have you traveled on a Vietjet flight? Let us know in the comments.