Passengers received pre-boarding instructions from Vietnam Airlines staff at Incheon Airport, Seoul, South Korea. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Nguyên

HÀ NỘI — The first regular flight between South Korea and Việt Nam, which was operated by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines after two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, landed safely at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội at 12:43pm on Thursday.

Flight VN417 carrying 63 passengers departed from Incheon International Airport in Seoul.

Nguyễn Huy Đức, head of Vietnam Airlines' branch in South Korea, said Việt Nam Airlines was the first Vietnamese carrier to resume regular flights between the two countries.

There is high demand for returning to the homeland, especially when Tết (Lunar New Year) is approaching, he said.

In the first stage of restarting international flights, Việt Nam Airlines will operate two flights per week between Seoul and Hà Nội but the carrier is ready to add more flights if permitted.

To ensure the safety of the flights, the airline strictly adheres to regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control, even though the implementation of Government COVID-19 measures is not without its challenges, he added.

Phạm Thị Lương, a passenger on the flight, said she was glad to return to Việt Nam after two years.

It was easy to buy the ticket and complete necessary procedures so people feel secure to come back to the homeland for reunion with their relatives on the Tết holidays, she said.

The flight is part of the Việt Nam Government’s plan to restore regular international flights with a high safety level, which has commenced from January 1, 2022.

This policy aims to restore international passenger transport activities, promoting economic recovery and tourism as well as making it easier for Vietnamese citizens to return home to celebrate the Lunar New Year. — VNS