Hai Au Airline will launch a Hanoi-Ha Long route this September, using two of the latest generation Cessna Grand Caravan EX hovercrafts.

The airline took possession of the twoaircraftfrom the US manufacturer Cessnaat its hangar at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on August 8.

According to Luong Hoai Nam, Hai Au Aviation Company General Director, instead of spending 3-4 hours travelling by bus from Hanoi to Ha Long, the flight on a hovercraft only takes around 30 minutes.

The 15.87 meter wingspan Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a modern hovercraft of US design and manufacture.

Its capacity is up to 12 passengers, with a maximum cruising speed of 343 km/h and a maximum range of 1,674 km. It is capable of taking off and landing on land, ocean, river and lake surfaces.