Emirates has signed two separate memorandums of understanding with Vietnamese operators Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, in a bid to increase its presence in the Southeast Asian country.

With Vietnam Airlines, Emirates is looking to expand its current interline cooperation to more routes, as well as add frequent flyer program benefits.

The two carriers first entered into a partnership in 1994, with a bilateral interline network now comprising 37 points in Vietnam Airlines’ network and 12 cities in Emirates’ network.

“This cooperation allows us to unleash the combined power of our networks as Vietnam Airlines seeks to leverage our international presence and provide our passengers with increased flexibility and convenience,” said Nguyen Chien Thang, executive vice president of Vietnam Airlines.

The two airlines will also explore potential partnerships in the areas of cargo and technical services, under the MoU.

With low-cost operator Vietjet, Emirates will explore “joint initiatives” to strengthen commercial cooperation.

“The MoU will further aim to improve connectivity to popular destinations on VietJet’s domestic and regional network via Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, among others, while providing VietJet customers with increased access to the network Emirates’ global hub via its Dubai hub on a single route. and a baggage policy,” says Emirates.

The two MoUs were signed on the sidelines of the Vietnam-UAE Business Forum in Dubai.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ chief commercial officer, said the partnerships “are an integral part of our core commercial strategy to better connect customers beyond our own network.”

He added: “Vietnam is a market that presents enormous opportunities to boost tourism and trade as a key hub in Southeast Asia, and Emirates supports the UAE government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its existing economic ties with Vietnam. »

Emirates operates a daily flight to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Neither Vietnam Airlines nor Vietjet flies to Dubai.