Prolonged COVID-19 Situation... Korean Air Proposes Expansion of Traffic Rights Suspension Extension

Strengthened Entry Controls on Passengers from Korea in 96 Countries... Passenger Demand Plummets, Airlines at a Crossroads for Survival

On the 4th, disinfection company staff are disinfecting a Korean Air passenger plane bound for New York at the Korean Air aircraft maintenance hangar at Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis severely impacts national airlines, Korean Air has reportedly requested the government to expand the suspension of the revocation of international air transport rights and overflight rights. This is interpreted as a measure considering the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

According to the aviation industry on the 5th, Korean Air sent an official letter to Minister Kim Hyun-mi of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport yesterday, requesting the suspension of revocation of international air transport rights, overflight rights, and slots (SLOT: the number of aircraft takeoffs and landings per hour) for all routes this year.

In the letter, Korean Air appealed, "Due to the spread of COVID-19, other countries have imposed entry restrictions on passengers from Korea and there has been a sharp decline in travel demand, making normal route operations impossible."

Under current regulations, air transport rights, overflight rights, and slots must be operated at least 20 weeks per year, 50%, and 80% or more respectively to avoid revocation. Previously, the government had suspended the revocation of air transport rights for Korea-China routes as national airlines suspended many flights to China due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Korean Air’s request to expand this suspension to all routes is due to the rapid increase in countries strengthening entry controls on passengers from Korea. According to diplomatic sources, as of this morning, a total of 96 countries have banned or tightened entry controls on passengers from Korea. For the industry, this has made it difficult to operate flights just to maintain air transport rights.

An industry official said, "Following the strengthening of entry controls by various countries and the rapid decline in passenger demand, even large airlines with relatively long cash turnover cycles are facing liquidity difficulties," adding, "It is necessary to reduce fixed costs to maintain air transport rights, overflight rights, and slots."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.