Korea’s smaller-sized budget carriers may start flight operations to Vietnam under a new arrangement reached between Seoul and Hanoi, the government said Monday.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said that under the new pact, both countries will abolish restrictions imposed on how many carriers can offer flight services.

The two countries signed a so-called open skies accord in 2008 that allowed commercial airlines from each country to ferry passengers without a cap on the number of flights. The deal, however, restricted the number of airlines that could offer such services to two.

At present Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc. operate flights to the Southeast Asian country, while Vietnam Airlines ferries passengers to South Korea.

The ministry said the new pact will help increase the number of passengers that can fly between the two countries and may help lower fare prices for travelers.

The changes could technically allow Jeju Air, Air Busan, Jin Air, Eastar Jet and T’way Airlines to begin flights to the Southeast Asian country. 

(Yonhap News)