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Tag: prague

  • Vietjet Launches Maiden Hanoi-Prague Flight on Airbus A330

    Vietjet Launches Maiden Hanoi-Prague Flight on Airbus A330

    Vietjet operated its first flight outside Asia-Pacific on Oct. 10, flying an Airbus A330 from Hanoi to Prague via Almaty in Kazakhstan.

    The maiden service to the Czech Republic expands the Vietnamese budget carrier’s network beyond Asia-Pacific, tapping a growing but underserved market.

    Routing through Central Asia

    Passengers received souvenirs on the flight as the airline pressed ahead with European routes despite challenges from Middle East conflict and fuel shortages.

    A technical stop in Almaty gives the airline operational flexibility while airspace closures and regional conflicts complicate direct Asia-Europe flight paths. In Prague, the route taps into one of Europe’s largest Vietnamese diaspora communities. That base helps fill seats alongside outward tourism from Vietnam.

    Fleet deployment and long-haul competition

    Twin-aisle Airbus A330 aircraft are now flying routes that traditional flag carriers often overlook. Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines focus on primary hubs such as London, Paris and Frankfurt. Vietjet is targeting secondary European gateways where budget competition is scarce.

    Long-haul discount flights run on thin margins. Fuel volatility and landing fees in Central Asia lift per-seat costs well above regional point-to-point routes. That dynamic puts pressure on seat occupancy and ancillary sales across both legs.

    In-flight upgrades and regional units

    Beyond new routes, the airline is overhauling onboard products across its fleet. A recent deal with Starlink will bring free in-flight Wi-Fi to passengers. The upgrade aligns cabin services with long-haul international standards.

    Regional affiliate Vietjet Thailand is separately working to double revenue by 2028 through fleet additions and network expansion. Meanwhile, the European expansion tests whether a Southeast Asian low-cost model can turn a profit on intercontinental segments without full-service feeder networks.

    Next European destinations

    Planners are evaluating more European destinations to link with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as additional widebodies arrive. Prague’s commercial performance over its first winter season will dictate how fast the carrier commits planes to other European cities.

  • 32 countries agree on 5G security guidelines

    32 countries agree on 5G security guidelines

    Participants from 32 countries from Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific have agreed on a set of proposals for security guidelines in 5G networks, in a move that could spell further trouble for Huawei.

    As part of a non-binding agreement known as the Prague Proposals released during the Prague 5G Security Conference, representatives agreed on an outline of a potential coordinated approach to securing 5G networks.

    Officials from South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Israel, the UK and a number of European markets signed the non-binding agreement.

    The proposals state that security of 5G networks is “crucial for national security, economic security and other national interests and global stability,” and stresses the importance of the development of “adequate national strategies, sound policies, a comprehensive legal framework and dedicated personnel, who are trained and educated appropriately.”

    Notably, one of the policy proposals involves ensuring that the “overall risk of influence on a supplier by a third country [is] taken into account.”

    While no vendors were mentioned, the US, one of the signatories to the proposals, has been pressuring its allies to restrict Chinese vendors including Huawei from participating in national 5G rollouts due to unproven concerns that the Chinese government could use the equipment to facilitate cyberspying. Huawei has vigorously denied the allegations.

    The Prague Proposals also include recommendations such as the development of international, open, consensus-based standards for 5G security, a call for regular vulnerability assessments for all components and network systems, and active collaboration and threat information sharing by the participating countries.