Air Astana to launch HCMC-Kazakhstan service
By Dao Loan - The Saigon Times Daily
HCMC – Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has started working with Vietnamese tourism authorities to sound out cooperation opportunities and promote their image in the local market as it is preparing to launch air service between HCMC and Kazakhstan early next year.
Representatives of Air Astana are in talks with the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Nguyen Bao Anh, an official of the department. The carrier plans to commission the HCMC-Kazakhstan run with transit in Thailand’s Bangkok and three weekly flights.
“Air Astana has unveiled its flight schedule for the forthcoming route and its marketing campaign on the local market. The carrier will join the International Travel Expo (ITE) HCMC for promotion and then collaborate with local travel agencies,” said Anh.
The carrier has been in service for 10 years with 50 domestic and international routes. It plans to launch new services to China’s Beijing, Russia’s St. Petersburg and Hong Kong.
As for ITE, representatives of some 150 international travel firms from 20 countries and territories will come to HCMC to work with potential local partners. About eight foreign airlines are expected to attend the event set to kick off in HCMC’s Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) from September 13-15.