Jetstar Pacific Airlines announced yesterday that it will commence Hanoi-Hong Kong service on September 7 to meet growing demand for air travel between the two places.

The low-cost carrier will use its 180-seat A320 aircraft to operate four weekly return flights between Noi Bai and Hong Kong international airports on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The total flying time is around two hours.

Le Hong Ha, chief executive officer of Jetstar Pacific, said in a statement that the airline opens the new international route to serve passengers traveling between Vietnam and Hong Kong.

“This new route will support the growing demand for low fares of passengers who want to visit relatives and even business travelers, and will give a boost to tourism,” Ha said.

The forthcoming service will make it easier for Hong Kong travelers to come to Hanoi.

“It also delivers on our strategy to offer customers from across the region our everyday low fares and the opportunity to enjoy seamless connections across the Jetstar Group’s expansive network in the Asia-Pacific region,” Ha added.

The announcement of Hanoi-Hong Kong service followed the launch of Jetstar Pacific’s daily services between Hanoi and Bangkok last month, and HCMC and Bangkok in December last year.

Passengers can buy tickets for the carrier’s Hanoi-Hong Kong flights at jetstar.com, ticketing offices and travel agents.

Jetstar Pacific became Vietnam’s first low-cost airline when it launched in May 2008. The third biggest carrier in the country is now active on 20 routes to 16 domestic and international destinations. Its two main shareholders are Vietnam Airlines and the Qantas Group.

Jetstar Pacific is a member airline of Jetstar Group, which is a major low-cost airline brand in Asia-Pacific. The group’s member airlines, which also include Jetstar Asia (Singapore), Jetstar Japan and Jetstar Australia and New Zealand, fly to more than 60 destinations in 16 markets worldwide.