Japan Airlines and Vietjet agreed to join forces, forming an important alliance on routes between Japan and Vietnam.

The partnership followed a series of discussions on how to expand networks and cater to the rising demand on routes between Japan and Vietnam. In the first phase of the partnership, the airlines will codeshare on all flights connecting the two countries, as well as domestic flights within each country. JAL will also codeshare on Vietjet’s flights connecting Vietnam and other Asia countries.

Further partnership opportunities will be explored, such as frequent-flyer programmes, aircraft operations and ground handling services.

JAL currently operates daily flights from Tokyo (NRT) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN), and from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Ho Chi Minh City.

“Japan is our key market as we expand the airline’s flight network in the Asia Pacific region,” said Luu Duc Khanh, managing director, Vietjet. “The partnership between Vietjet and JAL will diversify our air transportation products and the market segment while stimulating the movement of people between the two countries.”