Eaststar Jet of Korea has begun operating a new daily direct flight from Da Nang to Incheon, using the Boeing B737-800 aircraft with 189 seats.

The airline said at the launching ceremony on June 14 that the new route would help boost tourism and facilitate travel between Da Nang and Korea.

It said Da Nang is the third city in Viet Nam, after HCM City and Ha Noi, from which the airline is operating direct flights to Incheon.

According to the Da Nang tourism department, nearly 200,000 South Koreans visited the city in the first quarter of this year, a 90 per cent growth over the same period last year.

The department said eight airlines – Korea Air, Asiana Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Jeju Air, Jin Air, T’way and Eaststar Jet – now operate a total 56 flights per week connecting Da Nang with Incheon, Busan, Daegu and Muan in Korea, with total capacity of more than 8,000 passengers.

It said Da Nang and world heritage destinations in central Viet Nam could promote tour exchanges between Jeju Island, Incheon and Seoul.

More than 443,000 Korean tourists – nearly 20 per cent of foreigners – visited the city last year. — VNS