TT Meridian and Turkmenistan Airlines Join Forces for UK-Vietnam Air Cargo Route Partnership

Logistics service provider TT Meridian has announced a new cargo route between the UK and Vietnam via Turkmenistan operated by Turkmenistan Airlines.

TT Meridian told Air Cargo News that the route will utilise an Airbus A330-200 freighter.

The new route is expected to boost bilateral trade activities between the UK and Vietnam, following their free trade agreement that came into effect in May 2021.

“TT Meridian as the cargo sales agent handling the UK to Vietnam leg is delighted to announce this new flight route,” said Thai Tran, managing director of TT Meridian.

“We believe it will provide exporters, importers and forwarding agents with more choices in addition to the existing direct and indirect services available in the market.

“The new UK-Vietnam all cargo flight is also expected to pave the way for more goods to be air transported between the two countries.”

As of May 2023, the flight departs from London Stansted Airport to Ashgabat International Airport on a Wednesday evening, local time. The transit time is approximately four hours.

It then departs from Ashgabat on Thursday morning and arrives at Noi Bai International Airport on Thursday afternoon local time.

The return flight departs from Hanoi on Thursday evening and arrives at Stansted on Wednesday morning the following week. The transit time is five to six days.

Tran added: “Together with Turkmenistan Airlines, Swissport and ACSV (the ground handling agents in London and Hanoi respectively) and other partners, we have operated a few trial flights in the past few weeks.

“We believe the quick connection time in Turkmenistan, the transit point between the UK and Vietnam, and the competitive airfreight will be supportive for forwarding agents, shippers and consignees during this challenging economic time.

“We hope the new route will be a success, paving the way for higher frequency of all cargo flights between the two countries. More frequent flights will add more competitive advantage to Turkmenistan Airlines too.”

Together with Turkmenistan Airlines, TT Meridian expects to meet the demand of projects or firms that import products in large quantities or weights from either market.