|
Sky Paths to China Becomes More Convenient and Diverse
- China transportation rights distributed on 2nd... Expand network from Incheon, diversify routes from other regions
□ The number of passenger routes for Korean airline companies between Korea and China will increase from 57 to 66, and the number of flights will also increase significantly from 449 to 588 flights per week*, and it is thus expected to greatly increase options for airline users.
□ The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Minister Kim Hyun-mee) held the aviation transportation review committee meeting and announced that it would distribute the 70 new transportation rights obtained through the Korea-China aviation meeting held on March 15 after about five years, as well as the 104 government-possessed transportation rights to national carriers (34 routes).
ㅇ Chinese transportation rights were distributed through reviews of the aviation transportation review committee made up of private sector experts according to the international aviation transportation rights distribution rules.
□ Transportation rights for newly increased 14 flights per week between Incheon and Beijing were distributed to Korea’s two full service carriers (FSC) such as Korean Air and Asiana, and to two LCCs such as Jeju Air and T’way, while distributing seven flights a week between Incheon and Shanghai to Eastar Jet to strengthen connectivity between the main cities of the two nations, and it is expected it will lead to increased consumer convenience from competition among different airline companies.
ㅇ In addition, of the 44 routes that are being exclusively services, low-cost carriers (LCC) will newly fly in 14 popular routes such as Incheon-Shenyang and Incheon-Nanjing to solve the monopoly issue, and through this, it is expected that more variety in flight schedules and lower fares can be expected.
ㅇ Nine new routes were opened including Incheon-Zhangjiajie that could not be serviced according to the existing aviation agreement system (reformed at the March 15 aviation meeting) despites its high demand. Therefore, it will become easier for Korean citizens to travel to different parts of China.
ㅇ Furthermore, routes from other parts of the nation, which were slow to offer new routes, are expected to increase significantly from 108 flights per week in 24 routes to 170 flights per week in 29 routes. Accordingly, air travel users living in other parts of the nation will no longer have to travel all the way to Incheon Airport and use direct flights from their local airports to visit China more conveniently.
□ It is expected that this distribution of Chinese transportation rights will contribute in Incheon Airport’s goal of becoming the representative hub airport of Northeast Asia while activating local airports, as well as leading to qualitative and quantitative growth of the aviation industry. It also appears that it will act as the foundation for stably expanding businesses of LCCs searching new growth engines and to increase the strategic network that links with Korea’s two FSC’s long-leg routes to the Americas.
ㅇ The airline companies that were given transportation rights will be able to offer flights as soon as in 3-4 months after receiving authorization from the aviation authorities, ground operations agreements, and other flight preparations.
□ MOLIT Director General for Aviation Policy Eo Myeong-so said, “This distribution of Chinese transportation rights will support the air transportation demand for tourism and business that has been increasing between Korea and China, and it is also expected to contribute to energizing local airports and attract Chinese tourists to Korea.”
ㅇ He also added, “We will continue to hold aviation meetings with major countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, as well as China to continue to expand flight opportunities for airline companies, while enhancing convenience for air transportation consumers by adding new flight options.”
|