NDO/VNA - Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways announced its direct flights connecting Hanoi and Melbourne in Australia at a ceremony held on March 5, becoming the first Vietnamese airline to launch regular commercial direct flights between the two cities.

There will be one round trip per week starting from April 27.

Tickets for the new air route have been up for sale on Bamboo Airway’s offices, websites, and mobile app.

The route helps shorten the travel time between the two cities to more than nine hours, saving over 21 hours compared to transit flights.

Bamboo Airlines uses 787-9 Dreamliner for flights on this route.

It is expected to meet travel demand and contribute to the cooperation of the two cities and countries at large in multiple fields, said Deputy General Director of the carrier Truong Phuong Thanh.

Bamboo Airways operated its first flight connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne on February 19-20, and announced the HCM City-Sydney direct air route on February 28.