Three new routes took shape under Vietjet's scheduling — one pairing Hanoi with Almaty, another linking Hanoi to Prague, and a third running between Almaty and Prague directly — a configuration that broadens the carrier's long-haul reach and places it among airlines operating within European Union airspace for the first time.
Passengers flying between Asia and Europe stand to benefit from lower fares and broader route choices, with the added potential for stronger flows of visitors, goods, and cross-cultural ties. Vietjet's non-stop connections from Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad into Hanoi now place travellers from India within reach of onward routing toward destinations across both Central Asia and Central Europe. Wider route networks between the two continents give travellers from India more room to build itineraries around a broader range of destinations.
On 10 October, opening events at both Almaty International Airport and Václav Havel Airport Prague drew regional officials and arriving travellers to mark the launch of the newly established routes. Water cannon arcs and displays drawn from local cultural traditions marked the moment the first flights touched down. Keepsakes from Vietjet and the hosting airports were distributed among those on board.
Flights on these corridors depart and return twice each week — every Tuesday and Saturday — aboard wide-body Airbus A330 jets. Vietjet's Business and SkyBoss tiers extend dedicated ground handling and in-flight treatment to travellers, alongside a varied dining selection and upgraded seating arrangements.
The airline's statement described its aim as connecting travellers from Vietnam with destinations across cultures and heritage sites, while also supporting trade and investment activity — with the route operating as flight VJ031 departing Hanoi (HAN) at 8:25 a.m., arriving Almaty (ALA) at 12:50 p.m., then continuing to Prague (PRG) at 6:55 p.m. after a 2:20 p.m. Almaty departure, and the return service VJ032 leaving Prague at 8:55 p.m., reaching Almaty at 6:40 a.m. the following day before a final leg departing at 8:10 a.m. and landing in Hanoi at 4:20 p.m., with a transit window of roughly 90 minutes at Almaty in both directions.
Prague draws visitors through centuries of architectural layering and rooted cultural practice, while Almaty offers urban life set against the open expanses of Kazakhstan's natural landscape. Hanoi encompasses temple courtyards, market lanes, and roadside food stalls, each associated with a history and culinary tradition that visitors encounter at street level.
Vietjet's chief executive, Nguyen Thanh Son, described the addition of these routes as a noteworthy step forward in the airline's push to broaden its presence across international markets. Plans are in place for Vietjet to broaden its European network, a move that would draw together air links spanning Australia, Asia, and the continent into a more connected travel corridor.
