Airlines launch new flights ahead of winter peak season
Korean Air starts its "Coat Room Service" where the airline's passengers can check their coats when traveling to a warmer country at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. The service will be available for three months through Feb. 29. Courtesy of Korean Air
By Kim Hyun-bin
Korean carriers are planning to launch new routes or increase flights on existing ones to popular destinations including Southeast Asia and Oceania ahead of the winter peak season.
They are also engaging in special promotions and marketing to attract prospective customers.
The country's largest budget carrier Jeju Air newly launched flights to Phu Quoc, Vietnam and Bohol in the Philippines, Nov. 21. It offers daily flights to both destinations from Incheon International Airport.
T'way Air initiated daily flights between Incheon and Chiang Mai, Nov. 22, while Air Busan launched daily flights between Incheon and Cebu.
More Guam flights
Jeju Air is scheduled to launch daily Muan-Guam flights starting Dec. 24. From Jan. 6 to March 1, Jin Air will replace one of its aircraft with a larger Boeing B777, which is able to accommodate 393 passengers, for the Incheon-Guam route. The airline will also operate two daily flights between Busan and Guam from the current one.
New flights to Oceania
Korea's flagship carrier Korean Air will launch charter flights between Incheon and Auckland and Christchurch once a week on a 291-seat B777. Previously, passengers to Christchurch needed to transfer.
Asiana Airlines will start direct flights between Incheon and Melbourne once a week starting Dec. 26.
“The increased services are for people who are unable to use their annual vacations,” an airline official said. “Airlines are set to be more active in their marketing and promotions in the coming days.”
According to a WeMakePrice analysis of December airline ticket sales, flights to foreign destinations have increased 20 percent compared to last year. The most popular destination was Da Nang with 9.5 percent of ticket sales, followed by Guam with 8.7 percent, Cebu with 6.8 percent and Bangkok with 5.7 percent.
However, ticket sales to Japanese destinations have remained low due to the ongoing “Boycott Japan” movement following historical and trade disputes. Ticket sales for Osaka, which topped the list of the most popular foreign destinations for December last year, have dropped 86 percent compare to last year. Fukuoka ranked second, Tokyo fourth and Okinawa eight last December, but all failed to rank within the top 10 this year.
Free coat check services
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will provide free coat checking services for passengers who are traveling to warmer countries. The services started in December and will run for three months through Feb. 29 at the Incheon airport.
Korean Air will also provide the services at Gimhae International Airport.
The coat service will be free for the first five days ― a small fee will be added for the following days.
Korean Air has been providing the service since 2005 and expects an average 900 passengers to take advantage of the program daily.