Passenger flight will resume between South Korea and two countries - Vietnam and Russia -, although under conditions, according to the Seoul government.

Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement with authorities in Vietnam and Russia to reopen several major routes between Korea and the two nations to support essential business activities.

Vietnam Airlines began servicing a round trip flight from Incheon to Hanoi on Friday. Korea Air Lines opened a route to Ho Chi Minh on Friday and will resume flights to Hanoi on Sep.29. Asiana Airlines will also begin to service flights to Ho Chi Minh on Oct..1.

The reopening of Korea-Vietnam route came after a foreign ministers’ meeting of both countries held last week to discuss ways to allow a fast-track entry procedures for business people, the government said.

The transport ministry also decided to resume routes between Incheon and Moscow starting Sep.27 after consultation with the Russian authority.

Russia has suspended its regular Incheon-Moscow flights since March due to the pandemic.

Under the agreement, Russia’s flag carrier Aeroflot will fly a route departing from Incheon to Moscow every Saturday starting Oct. 3, and Korean Air will start to operate the flights from Oct. 9 on Fridays. The two airlines will take turns to service flights departing from Moscow to Incheon every other week.

“We are gradually reopening some of the flights under the restricted conditions to minimize imported infection cases,” an official from the transport ministry said, adding that there will be more resumption of additional international flight services.

By Pulse

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