Hai Au Aviation (HAI, Hanoi Noi Bai International) has commenced operations with scheduled seaplane flights between Hanoi Noi Bai International and the tourist mecca of Ha Long Bay. Operations are on-board two Cessna (single turboprop)s Grand Caravan 208B-EXs (cn 208B5121 and cn 208B5122), that arrived early last month.

“Seaplane service by Hai Au Aviation will bring new tourism and travel opportunities to international tourists coming to Vietnam,” said Luong Hoai Nam, general director of Hai Au Aviation. "The extraordinary design of the Grand Caravan EX seaplanes strengthens the connection between the crew – captains hailing from Australia, Canada and New Zealand alongside Vietnamese first officers – and the passengers like never before."

Backed by the Thien Minh Group and Focus Travel Group, the start-up intends to offer flights from Ho Chi Minh City to other tourist destinations like Thanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, An Giang, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc with the arrival of the third aircraft in December this year.