Vietnam Airlines Offers Discounts for Int'l Flights

The national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has launched a big promotion program with discounts for some of its international flights departing from Ho Chi Minh City in a bid to compete with international budget aviation firms in the country.

 

Accordingly, new charges on the route from HCM City to Kuala Lumpur or to Bangkok will be reduced by 35 per cent to US$157 for a two-way ticket from now until October 31, 2006.

 

A return ticket for HCM City-Singapore flights will cost just US$108, representing a 51 per cent reduction, which is valid until October 30 this year.

 

Meanwhile, passengers on flights from HCM City to Moscow from now to October 15 will have to pay only $600 for a two-way airfare.

 

For flights to Australia until November 30, the firm has offered $738/passenger for a return ticket, not including taxes and surcharges.

 

With such incentives along with its existing Free & Easy program for low-cost out-bound tours covering two-night hotel accommodation, Vietnam Airlines hopes to become highly competitive with regional rivals in the domestic market such as Tiger Airway and AirAsia.

 

Meanwhile, Indonesian Garuda Airlines has also decided to offer airfare of $170 for HCM City – Singapore flights (return ticket, valid within 7 days) and $99 (return ticket, valid within 14 days). Passengers will have to pay $68 more for taxes and surcharges. The airfare for HCM City – Jakarta flights with departure from now to September 30, has been lowered to $280.

 

Other air carriers, including Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways have also announced their discount rates applied for some air routes.