A ceremony to welcome the first flight from Yunnan arriving in Hải Phòng's Cát Bi Airport. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A new air route was opened on Tuesday connecting Việt Nam’s northern port city of Hải Phòng and Kunming city in China’s Yunnan Province.

The route, opened by China-based Ruili Airlines, is the first direct flight connecting Hải Phòng and Yunnan. It will reduce travel time from the previous 15 hours by road to one hour by air, contributing to promoting Việt 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 Việt Nam.

Speaking at the launching ceremony at Hải Phòng’s Cát Bi International Airport, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Lê Khắc Nam stressed the route would help boost co-operation between Hải Phòng City and Yunnan Province and between the two countries.

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

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