Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines expand cooperation on air cargo transportation
November 30, 2023 – On 29 November, at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, under the witness of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Vice President of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines signed an agreement to further foster cooperation in the field of air cargo transportation.
The agreement between Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines will bring additional long-term benefits to air cargo customers and both airlines. Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines intend to enhance cooperation in the field of cargo transport and will conduct research to enable a potential launch of an air cargo joint venture providing customers with the benefits of a larger, faster network with enhanced direct flights, a wider range of destinations and increased frequencies. Combining the resources of the two national airlines will support increased efficiency in the use of their aircraft capacities and further boost their position in global competition.
Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines said: "The cooperation between Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines was established on the basis of mutual benefit. Turkish Airlines will benefit from expanding the scale of its transportation network to previously limited areas such as Oceania, and Northeast Asia through the advantages offered by Vietnam's central geographical location as a transit point. Furthermore, by using freighters and connecting to Turkish Airlines' global network of 345 destinations around the world, Vietnam Airlines will be able to significantly expand its scale. We hope this cooperation will facilitate Vietnam’s position and advancement towards becoming one of the leading logistics centers in the Asia-Pacific region."
Turkish Airlines' CEO Bilal Ekşi commented at the signing ceremony: “Asia is one of our most important markets. Our efforts to increase our presence on this prominent continent continue unabated with our competent teams and R&D activities. In an era where global aviation is shifting from West to East, these efforts are even more meaningful. I hope the collaboration we have started with Vietnam Airlines, currently focused on our air cargo brand Turkish Cargo, but planned to be developed in different categories in the future, will be beneficial and fruitful for both countries and both flag carriers.”
Today's signing has important significance in the relationship between the two national airlines. In June this year, the two sides signed a codeshare cooperation to provide more flexible and diverse flight options for passengers on routes between Vietnam and Türkiye as well as neighboring areas. Passengers can make reservations and buy tickets on Turkish Airlines and Vietnam Airlines to fly between Istanbul - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and between Hanoi - Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang. The destinations are important economic, social and tourist centers in Türkiye and Vietnam.