The cooperation between the two airlines will take effect again from March 26, 2023, to strengthen the connection between the two airlines' respective hubs: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) and Charles de Gaulle (Paris) - one of the largest gateways in the world .

Mr. Nguyen Tien Hoang, Head of Vietnam Airlines branch in France and Europe said: “The resumption of the joint venture agreement will provide our customers with more flight options, optimize products and services between France, Europe and Vietnam, contributing to the recovery of the aviation industry after COVID-19. This cooperation allows Air France and Vietnam Airlines to consolidate the position of the two airlines in the market in a sustainable manner, thereby contributing to the economic , tourism and cultural development between the two countries and further on the two continents.”

Accordingly, Air France will operate the joint venture on Vietnam Airlines' Hanoi - Paris flights, with a schedule of 6 flights/week from Hanoi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, flight number VN019 from Hanoi to Paris, and VN018 from Paris to Hanoi on modern wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft. Vietnam Airlines will operate the joint venture on Air France's Ho Chi Minh City - Paris flights with flight number AF258 from Paris to Ho Chi Minh City and AF253 from Ho Chi Minh City to Paris on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The two airlines also cooperate to provide synchronized and convenient services with products that meet the diverse needs of passengers. As members of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, passengers of the two airlines enjoy many benefits such as SkyPriority service, exclusive lounges and frequent flyer programs.

France is one of Vietnam Airlines' largest and most important markets in Europe, since the opening of the first direct flight to Paris in 2003. Vietnam Airlines' annual passenger capacity between Vietnam and France in 2019 reached about 570,000 passengers. The resumption of joint venture flights has strengthened the close relationship between Vietnam Airlines and Air France - which have cooperated for more than 20 years in many areas, mainly aircraft maintenance and personnel training./.

KC