Dragonair today celebrated the launch of its new scheduled service to Hanoi in Vietnam with a ceremony held at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport for passengers boarding the first flight back to Hong Kong.

The route launch is a significant milestone in Dragonair's development as it marks the first time for the airline to operate scheduled services to and from Vietnam. This is the eighth new destination launched by Dragonair since the airline became part of the Cathay Pacific Group in September 2006.

"We believe our new service will further strengthen business and tourism ties between our home city, Hong Kong, and this vibrant country with its fast-growing economy and rapidly expanding tourism market," said Dragonair General Manager Operations Captain Peter Sanderson, who officiated at the ceremony.

"Our home base Hong Kong is one of the world's premier international hubs and its location enables Dragonair to offer Vietnamese travellers superb connections to either our own extensive network in Mainland China or the global network of our sister airline Cathay Pacific. These networks will enable us to carry travellers from North Asia and key long-haul markets such as North America, Australia and New Zealand to and from Hanoi."

On behalf of Dragonair, Captain Sanderson thanked all of those involved in helping to make the route launch a reality. To mark the beginning of the new service, passengers on the first flights to and from Hanoi received a Dragonair aircraft model as a souvenir.

Dragonair's schedule to and from Hanoi is as follows:

An inaugural ceremony was held at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport to mark the launch of Dragonair's daily service to the city. Pictured at the ribbon ceremony are Mr Vincent Yu, Dragonair Manager, Hanoi (second from left); Captain Peter Sanderson, Dragonair General Manager Operations (centre); Mr VO Huy Cuong, Head of Transportation Department, Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (second from right); Mr Nguyen Dinh Duong, Deputy Director of Northern Airport Corporation (first from right); Ms Suzanne Wong, Cathay Pacific Country Manager Vietnam (first from left)

Captain Peter Sanderson, Dragonair General Manager Operations, gave a speech in the ceremony

Dragonair, an affiliate member of oneworld, is a Hong Kong-based airline operating a fleet of 32 passenger aircraft and five freighters serving 34 regional destinations, including 20 cities in Mainland China. Dragonair has been recognised for its product and service quality, and was voted "Best Regional Airline: SE Asia" in the annual World Airline Survey run by Skytrax in 2007/08. Dragonair is part of the Cathay Pacific Group, providing seamless connectivity for passengers to more than 100 cities around the globe.

Dragonair web site address: www.dragonair.com