Singapore Airlines, Vietnam Airlines Agree To Commercial Partnership

SINGAPORE—Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Vietnam Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening their commercial collaboration.

As a first step, the airlines will codeshare on their Singapore-Vietnam routes, before expanding to other destinations within the SIA network. The carriers said they will eventually explore “other areas of commercial cooperation,” without providing specifics.

The agreement between the Star Alliance and SkyTeam members was signed during a state visit by Vietnam’s prime minister to Singapore.

“Over many years, Singapore remains one of the most important markets for Vietnam Airlines,” Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha said in a statement. “We hope to leverage our joint capabilities throughout many commercial fields of our business and therefore provide seamless experience to our valued customers.”

CAPA/OAG data shows Singapore is Vietnam Airlines’ fourth largest international market—after South Korea, Thailand and Japan—and sixth in terms of cargo volume. Vietnam Airlines currently has 17 other codeshare partners, including China Airlines, Finnair and Korean Air.