Vietnam Airlines has announced it will fly direct to Perth, Australia, from Ho Chi Minh City three times a week, VN Express is reporting. The airline intends to extend the flight frequency to five flights a week by 2024.
In September 2021, Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways began operating direct flights from Vietnam to the USA. Two months later, Vietnam Airlines announced it would also start operating direct flights to the US. It was estimated back in 2018 that direct flights to the US could cost the airline up to US$30 million in losses in the first five years.
Bearing this in mind, budget carrier Vietjet started offering two direct flights between HCMC and Perth back in August. Now, two months later, Vietnam Airlines is offering the same direct flights. It feels a lot like the current growth strategy of the national carrier is simply to follow in the footsteps of its competitors.
And bearing this in mind, it should also be noted that Vietnam Airlines is deep in debt. It has also failed to provide audited financial reports to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange and, as a result, trading of shares in the company is currently restricted.
See also: Vietnam Airlines news