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Strengthening Ties: Direct Flights Forge Connection Between Kerala and Vietnam

Direct flight services from Kerala to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam were inaugurated from Cochin International Airport on Saturday. Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), in a statement released on Sunday, highlighted that the new flight service by Vietnamese airline Vietjet marks a significant milestone.

This new flight service has resulted in the addition of 45 flights connecting Kochi to various Southeast Asian destinations, as stated by CIAL.

"The inaugural flights operated at full capacity on this momentous day, underscoring the increasing demand for direct connectivity between Kochi and Vietnam. I am also hopeful about further enhancing this connectivity by introducing additional flights from other cities in Vietnam to the Kochi route, thereby fostering stronger ties and facilitating seamless travel," said Lingeswara, as quoted in the statement.

The announcement of this new flight service was made on July 11, a few days after Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 5 and committed to initiating a direct flight service between Ho Chi Minh City and Kochi.

Following the meeting, Vijayan tweeted that the direct flight service would strengthen ties between Kerala and Vietnam and also boost tourism and development in the state.

The direct flight service, designated as VJ1811, will operate four days a week - on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Departing from Ho Chi Minh City at 19:20 hours, the flight is scheduled to arrive at Cochin International Airport at 22:50 hours. The return flight, VJ1812, will depart from Kochi at 23:50 hours, reaching Ho Chi Minh City at 06:40 hours.

"This service marks a historic milestone for CIAL as it establishes the first direct air link between Kerala and Vietnam, creating a significant avenue for both business and leisure travel. Furthermore, this new addition complements CIAL's existing flight services to various Southeast Asian destinations, enhancing the airport's connectivity and reinforcing its status as a vital hub for international travel," the statement said.

The partnership between CIAL and Vietjet demonstrates the ever-evolving landscape of aviation and celebrates shared goals in providing seamless, convenient, and reliable air travel experiences.