DA NANG (Biz Hub) — The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines officially launched the first direct flight connecting Narita Airport, Tokyo and the central city on July 16.

The flight number VN319, carrying 170 Japanese passengers, landed at Da Nang International Airport on Wednesday and was welcomed warmly by the city administration.

As scheduled, an Airbus A321 aircraft will fly direct four times a week, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Earlier, Vietnam Airlines also put into operation a direct flight between Ha Noi and Haneda, Japan from July 2nd with seven flights weekly.

The two new routes increased the number of Vietnam Airlines flight to Japan to 62 a week.

Deputy General Director of VNA's trading, Trinh Ngoc Thanh said: "The launch of the two new routes will make Vietnam Airlines a carrier with the largest direct flights from Viet Nam's biggest cities – Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Nang – and Japan's Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya."

"The two new direct flights to Tokyo will be convenient for passengers looking to connect with Japan's domestic flights," Thanh said.

He added that the Da Nang-Narita flight will give another choice to tourists visiting the central region of Viet Nam and make Da Nang a tourism destination in the region.

The national carrier also offers promotional return ticket prices from Da Nang to Narita at VND7.4 million (US$349) on flights from yesterday to December 31st.

The flight will help create conditions favourable for boosting tourism, trade and investment between Da Nang, the central region and cities of Japan.

Last year, Da Nang city hosted 41,000 Japanese tourists – a 53 per cent increase from 2012.

The number of Japanese tourists to Da Nang is expected to grow from 15 to 20 per cent this year due to the launch of this direct flight. — VNS