National carrier Vietnam Airlines said it would begin operating the direct flight between Hanoi and Osaka from Wednesday after Japan Airlines halted it the day before due to financial problems.

This is eighth route between the two countries operated by Vietnam Airlines.

Vietnam Airlines and Japan Airlines, which is currently reported to be preparing for a court-backed bankruptcy filing, had cooperated in operating the Hanoi-Osaka route opened the end of last year.

Also on Wednesday local newswire VnExpress reported that Hanoi authorities had approved boundaries for land to be allocated to a project that will build a road from the Noi Bai International Airport to the city center.

The new road is expected to halve the current distance of 30 kilometers when it opens, according to the news source.

Reported by X.T