The transport ministry said Tuesday it has given Japan Airlines Co. a slot to fly from Tokyo's Haneda airport to Ho Chi Minh City starting Sunday.

Rival All Nippon Airways Co., which offers a service between Narita International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City, had opposed the application, citing the need for fair competition.

Transport minister Akihiro Ota said the allocation will not undermine sound competition. Still, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry will make sure the new route doesn't hurt the operations of rival airlines, he said.

Last October, the ministry awarded only five new international takeoff and landing slots at Haneda to JAL against 11 slots for ANA. The gap was to promote sound competition after JAL received a massive injection of public funds, officials said.