Vietnamese airlines expand international flight networks

Vietjet Air announced on Tuesday that it had started selling tickets for a new Hanoi-Prague route, marking the budget carrier’s latest expansion into the European Union market.

The route is scheduled to begin operations on October 10 using Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, initially with two round-trip flights per week and a transit stop in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Economy-class fares start at VND5.94 million (US$225) per leg, excluding taxes and fees, while Deluxe-class tickets are priced from VND7.32 million ($277).

The airline said the route is expected to meet growing travel demand from the Vietnamese community in Czechia while also creating additional options for tourists and business travelers between Vietnam and Europe.

According to a Prague Airport representative, more than 75,000 passengers traveled between Prague and Hanoi in 2025.

Other Vietnamese carriers are also expanding overseas operations.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways launched flights between Phu Quoc and Hong Kong on May 22 with five flights per week, following earlier routes to Taipei and Seoul.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines will increase direct Hanoi-Moscow flights to four per week starting July 1, using Boeing 787 aircraft.

Travel companies welcomed the new routes, calling them a positive sign for tourism and trade.

However, they said that success depends on stable schedules, competitive fares, tour connectivity, and market demand.

For long-haul flights to Europe, fuel costs, travel time, transit points, and service quality remain critical factors influencing passenger decisions.