KOCHI: In a major development, a direct flight route connecting Kerala's Kochi to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City has been inaugurated, set to operate on a four-day-a-week schedule. 

The inaugural flight departed from Cochin International Airport, marking the commencement of this new service. This strategic air link was established following discussions between Nguyen Thanh Hai, the Vietnamese Ambassador, and Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 5th.

The initiative to establish this direct flight service, designated as VJ1811, stems from a commitment made by Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai during his meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This collaboration aims to bolster connectivity between Kochi and Ho Chi Minh City. Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) lauds this as a significant achievement, as it is projected to add 45 new flights, enhancing connections between Kochi and various Southeast Asian destinations.

The schedule for the new direct flight service has been designed for optimal convenience, operating on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departing from Ho Chi Minh City at 19:20 hours, the flight will touch down at Cochin International Airport at 22:50 hours. The return leg, flight VJ1812, will depart from Kochi at 23:50 hours, reaching Ho Chi Minh City at 6:40 hours.

CIAL's statement regarding the launch of this new service highlights its historical significance, establishing the first direct air link between Kerala and Vietnam. This connection is expected to create substantial opportunities for both business and leisure travel, fostering closer ties between the two regions. Moreover, this latest addition complements CIAL's existing flight network to numerous Southeast Asian destinations, solidifying its position as a pivotal hub for international travel.

The official launch ceremony of this new direct flight service was graced by the presence of Jay L Lingeswara, Vice President (Commercial) of Vietnamese airline Vietjet. In his statement, Lingeswara acknowledged the momentous nature of the occasion, noting that the inaugural flights operated at full capacity, underscoring the escalating demand for seamless connectivity between Kochi and Vietnam.

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