Vietnam Airlines launches first direct flight from Jakarta to Hanoi

The inaugural flight from Jakarta carrying 131 passengers and landed in Hanoi at 05:50 on Nov. 23 after 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Earlier, in the opposite direction, flight VN635 left Hanoi at 20:15 on Nov. 22 and landed in Jakarta at 00:40 on Nov. 23.

Using Airbus A321 aircraft, which can accommodate up to 185 passengers, the Hanoi–Jakarta direct service is expected to further promote bilateral economic, trade and tourism exchanges.

According to the carrier, it is operating daily services connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Jakarta and Bali, while the new Jakarta–Hanoi route is set to see a frequency of five flights per week.

Tran Tuan Nghia, Vietnam Airlines’ chief representative in Indonesia, said the airline plans to increase the frequency from five to seven flights per week starting next April to better meet passengers' demand in both countries.

Made Hardika, director for human resources of Gapura Angkasa – Indonesia’s largest ground-handling service provider, noted the company has worked closely and effectively with Vietnam Airlines at both Soekarno–Hatta and Denpasar (Bali) airports.

He said the carrier’s expansion of routes in Indonesia has been highly impressive and effective, and expressed confidence in its further growth, contributing to stronger tourism, economic cooperation and connectivity between the two countries.