26 October 2016

ANA HOLDINGS (ANA HD) and Vietnam Airlines  are pleased to announce that they will launch a codeshare partnership and frequent flyer programmes at the beginning of their 2016 winter schedules, commencing on 30 October 2016.

The codeshare partnership will initially cover ten international routes, linking Japan and Vietnam. In addition, it will link 25 principal domestic routes in both countries. This will allow passengers to travel more conveniently throughout the region.

The frequent flyer partnership will allow members of the ANA Mileage Club (AMC) and Lotusmiles to accumulate miles on codeshare flights operated by Vietnam Airlines and ANA. They will also have the opportunity to redeem rewards on all Vietnam Airlines and ANA marketed and operated flights.

The launch of this partnership between the two companies follows ANA HD' s acquisition of an 8.8 percent stake in Vietnam Airlines this year. In addition to capital investment, this commercial partnership will allow ANA and Vietnam Airlines to extend and enhance their services across Asia, taking advantage of the increasing demand for air travel and cargo across the region.

In addition to the codeshare and frequent flyer initiatives, Vietnam Airlines cabin crew will work on ANA flights in order to guide and interpret for customers and make in-flight announcements in Vietnamese. This follows the decision to integrate certain airport support activities such as check-in, lounge and baggage services for both airlines at selected airports including Haneda Airport in Japan and Tan Son Nhat Airport in Vietnam.

Duong Tri Thanh, President & CEO of Vietnam Airlines said: “The cooperation with ANA Holdings, which owns a leading global airline with excellent services quality, has an important meaning in the development of Vietnam Airlines as it helps us to diversify our products and improve our competitiveness in the international market. Through strategic long-term development cooperation and experiences from ANA, Vietnam Airlines' goal of becoming a 5-star airline will certainly be more reachable.”

Shinya Katanozaka, President & CEO of ANA HD said: “There is strong and growing demand for air services between Japan and Vietnam, and this trend is set to continue. Together, ANA and Vietnam Airlines can play a vital role as a bridge between the two countries, promoting greater economic, cultural and personal ties. As well as providing an enhanced service for our passengers, we can also share our combined industry expertise, in a win-win partnership.”

Please note the implementation of this partnership is conditional on the acquisition of necessary permissions from Japanese and Vietnam government authorities.

For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

As the national flag carrier of Vietnam, headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines operates 94 routes to 21 domestic and 29 international destinations with more than 360 flights daily. Operating a young fleet, mainly comprising Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s and Airbus A321s, the airline is expanding its fleet with next-generation aircraft such as Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-900 XWBs. It become the first airline to operate the new B787-9 nonstop between Southeast Asia and Europe, and the first Asian airline to operate both Boeing and Airbus' modern next-generation aircraft at the same time.

2015 also saw the launch of Vietnam Airlines' fresh new livery, corporate identity and branding, and the switching of its UK operations from Gatwick to Heathrow in what was a transformative year of development for the airline. A member of the SkyTeam Alliance since 10 June 2010, Vietnam Airlines was also the first representative of the alliance in South East Asia.

Vietnam Airlines offers the UK's only nonstop flights to Vietnam, with daily services from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Hanoi or Saigon. Vietnam Airlines' nonstop services from the UK are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight flights in both directions, and excellent onward connections via its comprehensive network of over 40 destinations in Asia, including 23 within Vietnam and Indochina as well as China, Japan and Taiwan. Return fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £395 per person, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

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