Emirates flight EK388 is welcomed with a water cannon salute as it touches down at Noi Bai International Airport on Wednesday. — Photo Emirates

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Emirates on Wednesday launched a new daily service from Dubai to Yangon (RGN) in Myanmar and Ha Noi (HAN) in Viet Nam, expanding its network in South East Asia.

Flight EK388 from Dubai to the capital city's Noi Bai International Airport was welcomed with a traditional water cannon ceremony.

"With an extensive global network of 155 destinations in 81 countries and territories, Emirates will help enhance connectivity for Ha Noi and its neighbouring areas, providing more convenience and choice for travellers, additional opportunities for inbound tourism and more export markets for regional products," Haitham Al Battawy, Emirates' country manager for Viet Nam, said at the launching ceremony. 

"We are confident that the launch of this service will enable us to contribute to the development of tourism and trade in Viet Nam, particularly in the country's capital Ha Noi," Battawy said.

Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport (NIA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the launch of Emirates Airlines service had brought the total number of airlines operating at NIA to 50, comprising 45 international airlines and five domestic ones.

This new service expands the airline's network in the Southeast Asian region to 12 cities in seven countries and offers more choices and convenience to passengers travelling between Ha Noi and Yangon and to Dubai and beyond.

Ha Noi is the airline's new passenger gateway in the country, following the launch of services to HCM City in 2012 and the cargo-only service to Ha Noi in 2013.

Flight EK389 departs from Ha Noi's Noi Bai International Airport at 10.50pm, and arrives at Yangon at 12.20am. The flight then departs from Yangon at 1.50am and arrives at Dubai International Airport at 5.05am. Inbound, flight EK388 departs from Dubai at 3.30am and arrives in Yangon at 11.40am. It then departs from Yangon at 1pm, arriving at 3.30pm in Ha Noi.

A three-class configured Boeing 777-300ER will be operated on this route.

Awarded the World's Best Airline 2016 title by SkyTrax, Emirates provides its customers a wide range of choices across its global network of 154 destinations in 81 countries and territories, together with exceptional on-board offerings and services. — VNS