Vietjet, the multinational airline that has emerged as a beacon of connection, is taking the global aviation industry by storm with its ambitious international expansion. This airline, hailing from Vietnam, is boosting global trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges and establishing itself as the eminent “air ambassador” of Southeast Asia.
Trailblazing New Horizons
Within just the first six months of 2023, Vietjet astonishingly reported that international passengers surged to 3.5 million. This signifies an impressive feat: they make up over 50% of the 6.9 million international flyers to and from Vietnam. Essentially, the airline is rewriting the global trade, investment, tourism, and cultural connectivity narrative.
In a bold move during the second quarter of 2023, Vietjet unveiled 11 new international routes connecting Vietnam to Australia, Indonesia, and India. This brings their impressive tally to a total of 120 flight paths, 75 of these being international and the rest catering to domestic travellers. The result? Air travel between Vietnam, the broader Southeast Asian region, and global hubs like Australia, India, and Northeast Asia has never been more accessible and affordable.
With its staggering population of over 1.4 billion, India was a strategic addition to Vietjet’s ever-expanding network. The airline now seamlessly connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to India’s major hubs, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. The numbers speak for themselves: a whopping increase to over 300,000 passengers between the two countries, a sharp ascent from the previous year’s 70,000 during the same time frame.
Australia, too, has witnessed Vietjet’s transformative influence. Since mid-April, the airline began non-stop flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s pulsing heart of culture and economics, to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Before Vietjet’s intervention, the Vietnam-Australia route saw roughly 500,000 passengers annually. Post Vietjet’s entry, these numbers have doubled weekly, projecting a year-end count exceeding one million. And there’s more on the horizon: a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Perth is slated for a November debut.
In Northeast Asia, Vietjet’s formidable presence is felt with 14 routes to South Korea, eight to Taiwan, and seven to Japan. The airline’s extensive reach covers over 50 prime destinations in mainland China, reinforcing Vietjet’s esteemed position in global aviation.
What sets Vietjet apart? Their impeccable blend of affordability and premium services brings disparate cultures closer and bolsters tourism, investment, and trade. It’s an airline genuinely designed for the modern age.
Pioneering Innovations
Constantly at the forefront of innovation, 2023 witnessed Vietjet introducing its Business class, teeming with privileges. Concurrently, the SkyJoy loyalty program was launched, already boasting 8 million members. In line with global environmental concerns, the airline debuted its eco-friendly A330 aircraft fleet, serving destinations like Australia, India, Japan, and South Korea.
Vietjet embodies the ethos of affordable air travel, thus shrinking our vast world. Their contributions, from offering free flights to reasonably-priced tickets, stand testament to their belief in a closely-knit global community.
Financial Highlights: Soaring Above and Beyond
The financial metrics for Vietjet in the first half of 2023 are nothing short of spectacular. With consolidated revenue of approximately US$1.25 billion, they exceeded their H1 target by a commendable 120%. The airline also clocked a consolidated after-tax profit of around US$16.3 million.
Safety is paramount for Vietjet. With 65,900 flights and over 12.1 million passengers, they’ve recorded a 30% YoY increase, clearly dominating passenger numbers on both local and international routes.
Further bolstering its sustainable vision, Vietjet uses eco-friendly materials, promotes paperless operations, and digitizes its processes. By June 30, 2023, the airline’s total assets burgeoned to an estimated US$3.01 billion, with debt/equity and liquidity ratios reflecting industry excellence.
Commending Vietjet’s robust financial health, Saigon Ratings awarded the airline a BB+ credit rating with a stable outlook. Vietjet’s resilience post the COVID-19 pandemic and its diverse business platforms certainly paint a promising picture for the future.
To conclude, as the dominant passenger carrier in Vietnam, Vietjet’s stellar performance in 2023 suggests not just meeting but exceeding its set objectives. This airline is poised to invigorate tourism, investments, and economies further globally.
Written by: Christine Nguyen