Vietjet Air announces new service to Brisbane

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced Vietnam’s largest budget airline will fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Brisbane from 2019 in a deal that will generate $30 million for Queensland and support hundreds of jobs.

The Premier said the deal would make Queensland Vietjet Air’s first destination in Australia. 

“This new route will deliver more than 90,000 annual seats and support 240 local jobs over the next three years, secured by my Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund,” she said.

“As well as giving us great access to the Vietnamese market, Vietjet Air are offering flights to Brisbane from both New Delhi and Taipei via Ho Chi Minh City. 

“Signing off on this deal with Vietjet will help us grow in two of our most important markets - India and Taiwan.

“The airline aims to quickly expand operations to a daily service, which would provide a further boost to the economy.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Vietjet Air announcement was a great win for Queensland tourism.

“When it comes to tourism, Labor has the runs on the board,” she said.

“In the last term, we secured international flights bringing in an extra 740,000 seats and generating $570 million for Queensland.

“We’re spending an extra $170 million in this sector over the next years – attracting direct flights from key Asian markets is an important part of this investment.

“These flights will expose Queensland to a whole new market.” Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh said she was proud Vietnam’s largest budget airline would soon fly to Brisbane.

“Vietjet has been well prepared with comfortable, high-quality and friendly services to expand its international flight network to top destinations, connecting Vietnam’s business and tourism hubs with Asia Pacific countries, including Australia,” he said.

“We are proud to be the pioneer airline to operate direct services from Vietnam to Brisbane, a dynamic business centre with friendly people, pleasant weather and living conditions that is very attractive for international travellers, especially those from Asia. 

“Vietjet is committed to making a new and lively aviation wave by offering brand new and friendly services and safe flights, thus contributing to the development of tourism, investment and trade exchange between Vietnam and Australia.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and Managing Director Julieanne Alroe said travel between Queensland and Vietnam has been growing at an average 8 per cent per annum over the last five years, with the new services set to further stimulate the market.

“It makes perfect sense for Vietjet Air to choose Brisbane, Queensland as its very first Australian port for direct flights given Ho Chi Minh City is one of Brisbane’s top five markets without direct services.

“The economic growth of Vietnam is impressive, with these new services facilitating further education, tourism, and investment and trade opportunities with Vietnam, not only benefiting Brisbane, but regional Queensland as well.

“We look forward to welcoming Vietjet Air to the Brisbane Airport family and further strengthening the ties between Queensland and Vietnam,” Ms Alroe said.

The Attracting Aviation Investment Fund is a $10 million funding commitment by the Palaszczuk Government to support new or expanding airlines to bring more passengers to Queensland by securing greater international aviation access.

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Media contact: Jack Harbour (Minister Jones' office) 0419 620 447

Leonie Vandeven (Brisbane Airport Corporation) 0401 696 638