Passengers can now find flights between France and Vietnam daily, according to an announcement from the airline’s representative office in Paris.

This is the first time in the Vietnam Airlines’ history that each Wednesday there will be two Boeing 777 planes flying from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris to Vietnam’s two major cities, Hanoi and HCMC.

Vietnam Airlines’ decision to increase flights from France, even though the world economic crisis is not yet over, was made on projections of the imminent economic recovery of the European market, said Le Dung, Chief Representative for the airline in Paris.

The move was also made to prepare for Vietnam’s joining of the international aviation alliance – Skyteam, Dung added.

According to the airline representative, France will continue to be a major market with great potential for the airline due to strong ties in history, culture and economic relations between the two countries.

Vietnam has for a long time been a favourite destination for French tourists. Together with overseas Vietnamese living in France, they have been a consistent and important source of customers for the airline.

The decision to increase flights from Paris – a crucial gateway to connect with most major European destinations--is seen as a step forward to prepare for the airline’s long-term plan to expand activities in other international markets after 2010.

The total turnover from European markets for Vietnam Airlines hit EUR 165 million last year, a rise of 20% from 2007.

Although the airline has just conducted regular flights to three European countries - France, Germany and Russia - it has expanded its ticket outlet system to almost every country in central and north-western Europe, including Britain and Northern Ireland.