Vietnam Airlines celebrates 25th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan route

Vietnam Airlines celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan route

Ever since the first Vietnam Airlines flight to Japan in 1994, connecting Osaka and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines has been continuously expanding its network, upgrading its fleet, and promoting economic and cultural ties between the two countries. After 25 years, the total number of passengers transported by Vietnam Airlines reached 12.5 million, with Vietnam Airlines dominating nearly 60 per cent of the total passenger traffic between the two countries.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his appreciation for Vietnam Airlines' efforts and remarkable achievements during this quarter of a century and the long-lasting, robust developments in the strategic co-operation of Vietnam and Japan. The PM believed that Vietnam will further boost multifaceted co-operation with Japan, including in aviation, where Vietnam Airlines will continue to play a vital role in deepening the relations of the two countries through its fleet, product, and service developments.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke at the celebration

Toshihiro Nikai, Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, congratulated Vietnam’s flag carrier on 25 years of operation of the Vietnam-Japan route throughout the flourishing Vietnamese-Japanese relations. He said he expects to see more developments in the relations of Vietnam and Japan thanks to Vietnam Airlines’ active contribution.

Duong Tri Thanh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, said, "Japan has emerged as one of the five markets with the largest number of passengers to Vietnam and plays a substantial role in our long-term strategy. Vietnam Airlines has made major investments in new routes and a fleet expansion programme by operating the new-generation wide-body aircraft Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 on the routes to Japan to bolster the quality of our services. We take great pride in what we are doing to further provide unparalleled opportunities for promoting investment, trade, economic, and cultural ties as well as the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan."

Duong Tri Thanh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines

2016 marked an important milestone in the economic co-operation between the two countries, when Japan's largest airline group – ANA Holdings – acquired an 8.7 per cent share in Vietnam’s flag carrier and became its strategic foreign investor. The two sides have actively implemented comprehensive co-operation in many areas such as trade (joint venture, frequent flyer programmes), ground and maintenance services, and training, leveraging each other's strengths to increase business performance and efficiency for both.

In 2019, Skytrax recognised Vietnam Airlines as a four-star airline for the fourth year in a row, while ANA continues to be the only Japanese airline to hold the Skytrax five-star title. As a result of the co-operation, Vietnam Airlines aims to embrace the growth potential and soon become the first five-star rated airline in Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines currently runs 11 routes between Vietnam and Japan with an average of nearly 80 flights per week, connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang with big cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Vietnam Airlines will continue to put more wide-body aircraft to serve these routes and study the feasibility of new routes between Vietnam and Japan.