Prague with Hanoi to be connected by a direct flight, operated twice a week by Vietjet Air

The arrival of Vietjet Air at Prague Airport will open the first regular Prague-Hanoi route in the modern history of the Czech Republic. “In terms of passenger numbers, Vietnam represents the strongest market with which we did not have a direct air connection until now. Last year alone, more than 75,000 people travelled between Prague and Hanoi in both directions. That is why we have been striving for a direct flight to Hanoi for a long time and very intensively. It was one of our strategic priorities, which we have now managed to fulfil,” says Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors. 

Vietjet Air will operate the new route twice a week - on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The route will initially operate with a stopover in the Kazakh city of Almaty, and passengers will also be able to purchase tickets for the Prague-Almaty leg and back. According to the flight schedule, the aircraft will take off from Hanoi at 8:45 a.m. and, after a stopover in Almaty, will land on the runway of Prague Airport at 6:30 p.m. It will depart from Prague at 8:30 p.m. with another stopover in Almaty, arriving in Hanoi the following day at 4:45 p.m. Vietjet Air will deploy an Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the route with a total capacity of 377 passengers. 

It is expected that the direct flight connecting Prague and Hanoi will be attractive to the large Vietnamese community living in the Czech Republic. Based on estimates, the new connection could be used by more than 67,000 passengers in both directions in the first year of operation. “The new route will make it easier for the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to visit relatives, in both directions. However, we also expect that thanks to this new direct connection, tourism will grow, and Vietnam will become more accessible to Czech visitors. Last but not least, this route will contribute to strengthening existing and building new business ties between the Czech Republic and Vietnam. From this perspective, Vietnam is also an important gateway to Southeast Asia and we expect that in addition to passenger transport, the route will also be used for cargo transport,” adds Jiří Pos. 

"A direct flight connection between Prague and Hanoi is essential for inbound tourism to the Czech Republic. Vietnam is one of the markets with high potential, not only as an independent source market, but, above all, as a transfer hub for other markets in Southeast Asia. And the accessibility of a destination plays a key role in tourists’ decisions on where to go. The new route will thus significantly facilitate travel to the Czech Republic, boost arrivals from Southeast Asia and, at the same time, open up further opportunities for the development of tourism and business relations,” highlights František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourism Board – CzechTourism, adding: “In addition, the connection via Almaty appeals to the broader Central Asian region. The countries of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, represent a promising segment with growing purchasing power, an above-average length of stay, and an interest in spas, healthcare, and high-quality services. At the same time, the Czech Republic has a strong reputation in this region as a world-class spa destination.” 

Vietnamese airline Vietjet Air will be the new carrier at Václav Havel Airport Prague. It was founded in 2007 and is based in Hanoi. The carrier’s extensive network will allow passengers to take advantage of over forty connecting flights throughout Asia in addition to the Prague-Hanoi route.