A ceremony to welcome the first flight from Yunnan arriving in Hai Phong's Cat Bi Airport. — VNA/VNS Photo

A new air route was opened on Tuesday connecting Viet Nam’s northern port city of Hai Phong and Kunming city in China’s Yunnan Province.

The route, opened by China-based Ruili Airlines, is the first direct flight connecting Hai Phong and Yunnan. It will reduce travel time from the previous 15 hours by road to one hour by air, contributing to promoting Viet Nam – China economic, cultural and tourism exchanges.

Ruili Airlines, with a fleet of 19 Boeing planes, operates 61 domestic and 10 international routes. On a daily basis, it runs 108 flights to 39 cities, including those in Viet Nam.

Speaking at the launching ceremony at Hai Phong’s Cat Bi International Airport, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Khac Nam stressed the route will help boost co-operation between Hai Phong City and Yunnan Province and between the two countries.

Nam said the city will create the best conditions for the carrier to capitalise on its potential and satisfy passengers.

This year, Cat Bi Airport is projected to welcome more than 2.7 million passengers, with annual passenger growth of 10 per cent. — VNS