Swannies to tour Hong Kong on Cathay; travellers to ANZAC services in Europe grounded due to volcanic ash

Last week at Hong Kong Airport, a couple of Aussie pilots (perhaps Hong Kong Dragons?) were hailed as heroes after the successful emergency landing of their Cathay Pacific A330 (although there were a few popped tyres). This week, the Vietnam Swans  confirmed that we will fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong on 21 May for a match against the Hong Kong Dragons the following day.

Back in 2003, the Hong Kong Dragons played in the then Hanoi Swans first ever match in Hanoi. Four years later, in 2007, the Dragons returned to Vietnam to play the newly formed National Team, the Vietnam Swans in Saigon. Now, it’s the Swannies turn to travel to Hong Kong for the first time.The trip will also serve as the farewell match for Monkey, JD and Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.

In more aeroplane woes, the recently erupted Icelandic volcano has brought air traffic in Europe to a stand still. This is causing big problems for Australians wishing to attend ANZAC Day Dawn services in France and Gallipoli (if their flights are via Europe (see Volcano fallout casts pall over ANZAC Day travel plans ).

Fortunately, Vietnam is outside the volcanic ash zone and plans are continuing unabated for the Vietnam Swans inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match to be held in Vung Tau on 24 April 2010.

Yesterday it was confirmed that an additional group of 300 from the RSL will be in Vung Tau on ANZAC weekend.