Air Canada focuses on the Vietnamese market in the coming time

Air Canada is increasingly focusing on the Vietnamese market, a sign of the airline's interest in the potential for growth in tourism and trade between the two countries.

Air Canada said in early May 2024 that Ho Chi Minh City could be added to its network from its Asia- Pacific hub in Vancouver. It’s unclear when that route will become a reality, but it’s one that’s being watched for consideration.

Air Canada aircraft. Photo: Air Canada

According to simpleflying.com, one of the reasons why Air Canada is interested in opening a route to Vietnam is because this is one of the fastest growing long-haul markets in the world. Air Canada could open a direct route to Ho Chi Minh City. Expanding services and increasing connecting flights between Canada and Vietnam would not only meet the travel needs of people but also create opportunities for businesses and tourists to explore this potential market. In the context of the relationship between the two countries being constantly strengthened and expanded, Air Canada could consider cooperation opportunities with local partners, develop tour packages and increase the number of flights to better serve the travel needs of passengers. Investing in the Vietnamese market could be a strategic step to help Air Canada affirm its position in the Asia- Pacific region.

The distance from Vancouver, Canada to Ho Chi Minh City is 11,776 km. Air Canada launched a Vancouver-Bangkok (Thailand) route, which is slightly further than Ho Chi Minh City, in December 2022. This route has up to 5 flights per week in winter with Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with a flight time of 16 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Bangkok Airport (BKK) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Photo: Google Map

With 76,200 return passengers last year, Ho Chi Minh City is a larger market than Bangkok, and could be more profitable. There are now around 104 passengers each way each day, up from just 37 in 2019. According to Dr James Pearson, Loughborough University, a three-times-weekly Boeing 787-9 Vancouver-Ho Chi Minh City route in the winter could be interesting. If the timing is right, Ho Chi Minh City could also easily tap into other important markets in Canada and the US. The article concludes that a three-times-weekly Boeing 787-9 Vancouver-Ho Chi Minh City route in the winter could be interesting. If the timing is right, it could easily tap into other important markets in Canada and the US./.

Bich Huong