Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines have officially announced a landmark joint venture agreement aimed at significantly expanding and streamlining air travel between Vietnam and China. This pioneering partnership, the first of its kind between carriers from the two nations, is set to commence on August 1st and signals a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for cross-border tourism and business travel.

The joint venture will see the two airlines closely coordinate their flight schedules and engage in extensive codesharing on routes connecting cities in China and Vietnam. Beyond just flights, the collaboration will also encompass partnerships in their frequent flyer programs and offer inter-airline check-in services, promising a more seamless travel experience for passengers.

Deepening a Decades-Old Partnership

This new agreement builds upon a foundation of cooperation that dates back to 2010 when both carriers first entered into a codeshare agreement for flights between the two countries. Their partnership further deepened in 2022, expanding into broader areas such as technical operations and commercial initiatives.

The airlines underscored their mutual commitment to the venture, stating, “Both parties committed to prioritising the use of each other’s services at airports where they operate, while coordinating to develop their respective hub airports to enhance operational efficiency and expand the route.” This suggests a concerted effort to optimize network connectivity and leverage each other's strengths at key airport hubs.

Expanding Connectivity and Reach

Currently, China Southern Airlines operates a robust network of up to 111 weekly flights from various Chinese cities, including its major hub in Guangzhou, along with Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, and Changsha. These flights serve key Vietnamese destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the popular tourist spot Nha Trang.

Vietnam Airlines, complementing this network, operates up to 50 weekly flights to Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinan, and Wuxi. By integrating their operations through this joint venture, both airlines anticipate a substantial increase in passenger traffic and cargo movement, offering travelers greater flexibility, more choices, and improved connectivity. This strategic alliance is expected to play a crucial role in post-pandemic travel recovery and foster stronger economic and cultural ties between China and Vietnam.