United Airlines plans U.S. - Vietnam Service via Hong Kong

United Airlines has announced that, following a decision by the government of Vietnam to allow air service between the U.S. and Vietnam via Hong Kong, it intends to implement daily San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City service via Hong Kong.

This service would commence as soon as the necessary regulatory procedures have been completed by the relevant Vietnamese and U.S government agencies. The Vietnamese government's decision comes ahead of the schedule that the U.S. and Vietnam agreed upon last year.

"This newly planned service to Vietnam is an important addition to our global route network," said Graham Atkinson, United's senior vice president of Worldwide Sales and Alliances. "Vietnam's highly charged economy and a growing demand for air service to the U.S. makes Ho Chi Minh City an appropriate market for United's service."

According to the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the country is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Analysts have forecast Vietnamese GDP growth above 7 percent for this year. Following regulatory approval, United's service will be the first scheduled U.S. air carrier service to Vietnam in nearly three decades.

"We are very excited by the opportunity to be the first U.S. carrier to operate passenger flights to Vietnam in nearly 30 years," Atkinson added. "United's service will help further strengthen ties between the people of the United States and Vietnam, and facilitate tourism and trade between the two countries."

The U.S. and Vietnam agreed last year to allow the resumption of direct air services. At that time, service via Hong Kong was deferred until fall of 2005. At United's urging, Vietnam has agreed to advance that date, allowing an earlier reintroduction of services than was possible under the original schedule.

United intends to operate combined passenger and cargo service using a Boeing 747-400 aircraft configured with 14 First Class Suites, 73 United Business seats and 260 economy class seats.