A Vietnam Airlines aircraft takes off at the Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi. — VNA Photo

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines officially opened a new direct route connecting HCM City and Haikou city in China’s southern province of Hainan.

Its first flight coded VN688 on the route landed at Meilan international airport in Haikou city on October 28.

Hainan authorities said this is the 7th international air route of Meilan international airport put into operation this year.

Vietnam Airlines would operate four flights on the route per week, using Airbus A321 aircraft.

Flights depart from HCM City at 22.45pm on Thursdays and Sundays, and from Haikou at 2.45pm (local time) on Mondays and Fridays.

The opening of the direct flight between Haikou and HCM City will create favourable conditions for passengers from both countries to travel between China and Viet Nam.

Reportedly, more flights from the Meilan international airport to Busan city of the Republic of Korea and Ha Noi are scheduled to open in 2019, building Hainan into an airport connecting the Pacific and Indian Ocean. — VNS