Following the re-opening of Hue's Phu Bai International Airport (IATA code: HUI) on 20 September 2013, after extensive runway enhancement work, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has confirmed that it has commenced operations to the newly expanded airport - gateway to the UNESCO-protected former imperial capital and home to the famous Purple Forbidden City - with an initial five daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, rising to eight daily flights from 28 October onwards.

Currently the sole carrier serving the newly improved airport, Vietnam Airlines will fly twice daily from Hanoi, and three times daily from Ho Chi Minh City, until 27 October. From 28 October onwards, this will increase to four flights daily from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. With the recent runway improvements enabling Phu Bai to cater to larger aircraft, the new Vietnam Airlines services are being operated by modern Airbus A321 aircraft.
  

An area of great natural beauty with a rich history, Hue is a must-see destination for visitors to Vietnam. Thanks to Vietnam Airlines’ four nonstop flights per week from London Gatwick to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; a total of eight daily onward flights to Hue; and increased capacity on these routes, this historic destination is now more accessible to UK travellers than ever.

Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com; 020 3263 2062) offers the only direct flights from the UK to Vietnam, flying nonstop four times per week from Gatwick Airport - twice each to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with onward connections to 23 destinations in Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia and Laos. Online fares start from £608 per person to Hanoi; or £610 per person to Ho Chi Minh City, subject to availability. Internal flights start from approximately £50 per person per sector when purchased with international flights.

- Ends -

Note to editors:

As the national flag carrier of Vietnam, headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines operates 83 routes to 20 domestic and 28 international destinations with more than 300 daily flights. Operating the young fleet of 80 modern aircraft mainly including Boeing 777, Airbus A330, A321/320s, the airline expects to further expand its fleet to 115 and 170 aircraft by 2015 and 2020, respectively, with new and modern aircraft as Airbus A350XWB, Boeing 787-9. Vietnam Airlines became official member of SkyTeam Alliance on June 10th, 2010 and also the first representative of the alliance in South East Asia region. www.vietnamairlines.com 

Vietnam Airlines® Fly and See!

For further press information please contact:

Lauren Hughes (lauren@bacall.net) or Nat Frogley (nat@bacall.net)

Bacall Associates, 63 Catherine Place, London, SW1E 6DY

Tel: +44 (0) 8704 288 401               E-mail: firstname@bacall.net      Web:www.bacallassociates.co.uk