Some International Flights to Be Resumed Soon
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had a meeting with airlines on May 19 to discuss government support for their international flights.
With COVID-19 showing at least some signs of subsiding, South Korean airlines are preparing to resume their international flights. For example, Korean Air’s international flight operations are scheduled to be expanded from 13 to 32 next month, which means approximately 30 percent out of 110 in total are about to be restored. Likewise, Asiana Airlines’ international flight operations will be increased from 13 to 27 next month.
The same applies to low-cost carriers. Jeju Air is going to resume flights between Incheon and Manila next month to increase its international flight operations from zero to four out of 82 in total. Air Busan’s flights to China, Japan and Southeast Asia will be put back into service in July.
Although various countries’ entry bans and restrictions are being relaxed, self-quarantine is still mandatory and travel for non-business purposes is still burdensome. Under the circumstances, South Korean airlines are calling for more government support for demand recovery, examples of which include shorter self-quarantine based on inter-government talks and quarantine exemption for those who tested negative.