Dragonair to launch Hong Kong-Hanoi route

HANOI/VIETNAM: Cathay Pacific subsidiary Dragonair will launch a Hong Kong-Hanoi route in October to meet the growing demand for air travel to Vietnam, a Vietnamese aviation official said on Friday.

Starting on Oct. 26, Dragonair, owned by Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, will offer daily service using Airbus A320s, said Vo Huy Cuong of Vietnam's Civil Aviation Administration.

Dragonair will become the third airline to fly the Hong Kong-Hanoi route, joining Hong Kong Airlines and Vietnam Airlines, which also offer daily service. The Ho Chi Minh City-Hong Kong route is served by Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific and United.

In recent years, passenger air travel to and from Vietnam has grown from 13 to 17 percent annually, Cuong said.