The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on December 12 held a ceremony in Jakarta to officially launch the direct route linking Ho Chi Minh City and the capital city of Indonesia.

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnam Airlines’ Deputy General Director Trinh Ngoc Thanh emphasised the importance of the route, which connects the two cultural, economic, investment and tourism centres of Vietnam and Indonesia as well as the Southeast Asia.

It aims to meet the increasing demand of travelling between both countries and among ASEAN countries at large, contributing to boosting regional connectivity, he said.

Thanh also pointed out the potential of the new route, adding that Vietnam Airlines plans to raise the number of flights from the current four to seven per week.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Nguyen Xuan Thuy spoke highly of Vietnam Airlines’ efforts to broaden its operation. He noted that since the inaugurating flight took off in December 2, all flights on the route have been filled to capacity.-VNA