Korean Air to operate mileage-exclusive flights on Jeju route from July-September

A Boeing 787-10 aircraft of Korean Air Lines / Yonhap

Korean Air Lines said Friday it will operate special mileage-exclusive flights on its domestic route connecting Seoul and the country's southern resort island of Jeju from July to September.

The airline will run the Gimpo-Jeju flights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays over three consecutive weeks each month in response to increasing demand for domestic travel during the summer vacation season.

The special flights will be available for mileage use only. A total of 54 flights will be operated between July 4 and Sept. 21.

An Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which includes prestige-class seating and accommodates 284 passengers, will be deployed on these flights.

Industry observers see the move as an attempt to encourage mileage consumption amid Korean Air's ongoing integration of its mileage system with that of Asiana Airlines Inc. as part of an ongoing merger of the two flag carriers.

On Thursday, Korea's Fair Trade Commission rejected a proposed mileage integration plan submitted by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, citing insufficient details and consumer benefit concerns.

As of the end of March, Korean Air's unredeemed mileage totaled 2.62 trillion won ($1.92 billion), up 1.8 percent from the previous quarter.