HCM CITY — Leading Swiss carrier Edelweiss has announced the start of a bi-weekly service between HCM City and Zurich starting on November 15 this year.

It will operate an Airbus A340-300 aircraft with a capacity of 314 passengers.

The flights will leave HCM City on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Some travel agencies are already accepting bookings and plan to sell tickets online.

The first ever air route between Việt Nam and Switzerland will reduce travel time, and promote trade and tourism, officials said.

Edelweiss hopes to carry 10,500 visitors from Switzerland to HCM City every year.

According to a report from Việt Nam’s General Statistics Bureau, in the first five months of this year Việt Nam received 16,500 Swiss tourists, 4.2 per cent more than in the same period last year. — VNS