Amid a Spike in COVID-19 Outbreaks
A sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 patients in Korea is forcing foreign airliners to cancel flights to Korea.
Vietnam Airlines has canceled flights to Incheon International Airport until March 29 due to COVID-19 concerns. Most of the flights are from Hanoi, Nha Trang and Da Nang, which are popular tourism destinations for Koreans.
Philippine Airlines also announced a reduction and suspension of flights on routes between Incheon and Manila and Busan and Manila during the month of March. During this period, flights PR468 and PR469 of Philippine Airlines between Manila and Incheon will be suspended. Flights PR418 and PR419 between Manila and Busan will not be available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from March 2-30.
On Feb. 18, Singapore Airlines also announced a suspension and reduction of services on Korean routes through its website. It will cancel Busan-Singapore flights on Feb. 26 and March 2 and 6 and most of Singapore-Incheon flights will be scratched off until March 26.
According to foreign media outlets, Thailand's low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia X has reportedly curtailed flights to South Korea from March 6 to 26. Thai Airways is also scheduled to cancel some flights to eight countries including Korea.