VietJetAir to launch European flights in early 3Q22

VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi) has announced it will launch services to Russia from three Vietnamese airports on July 3, 2022, marking the carrier’s European debut.

The low-cost carrier plans to operate four weekly flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo: two from Nha Trang Cam Ranh and two from Ho Chi Minh City via Hanoi. Services will be operated with VietJetAir’s maiden widebody aircraft, A330-300s, deliveries of which are due to begin shortly.

The airline did not respond to ch-aviation’s request for confirmation of the A330s’ induction date.

Currently, the LCC operates an all-narrowbody fleet comprising eighteen A320-200s, thirty-eight A321-200s, twelve A320-200Ns, and seven A321-200NXs. Its sister, Thai VietJetAir (VZ, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi), operates ten A320s and six A321s. The mainline Vietnamese carrier has a further 100 A321-200Ns, twenty A321-200NX(XLR)s, sixty-six B737-8s, twenty-eight B737-8-200s, and 106 B737-10s on orders, on top of the A330s which are due to come from lessors.

Viet Nam is a popular destination for Russian tourists. However, due to the current travel restrictions, the only airline operating scheduled flights between the countries, primarily for cargo transportation, is Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi). VietJetAir does not have any international flights scheduled at present.

“VietJet is ready to relaunch international services. We have invested in a modern fleet, and we will expand our intercontinental flight network in the coming time,” Managing Director Dinh Viet Phuong said.