[Mun Honam's Snap and Write] The Frozen Air Routes Between Korea and Japan

On the First Day of Japan Entry Ban, Observing Incheon Airport... Only 8 Passengers on a Flight to Japan with 121 Seat Capacity

On the 9th, when mutual visa-free entry between Korea and Japan was suspended, passengers arriving on a flight from Japan at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport underwent special entry procedures such as quarantine and contact information verification. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 9th, the boarding gate for Korean Air flight KE727 to Kansai, Osaka, Japan at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport was quiet. There were only eight passengers on this flight. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, employees are guiding passengers in front of the boarding gate of Korean Air flight KE727 to Osaka Kansai at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Honam] The air route between Korea and Japan has been blocked. Both countries have strengthened entry restrictions in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). After Japan first imposed a ban on Korean nationals entering the country, the Blue House also prohibited visa-free entry for Japanese nationals and suspended the validity of previously issued visas.

At 11:13 a.m. on the first day of the entry ban, the boarding gate for Korean Air flight KE727 to Osaka, Japan, at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport was quiet. There were only '8' passengers, all of whom were foreigners such as Japanese and Chinese. The aircraft has a capacity of 121 passengers.

Around the same time, a flight from Japan arrived at Incheon Airport. There were only 25 passengers on board. They, along with passengers from COVID-19 affected areas such as China and Macau, completed special quarantine declaration forms and health status questionnaires. Even passengers in wheelchairs due to health issues were not exempt.

In addition, they underwent a special entry procedure requiring the installation of a self-diagnosis app on their mobile phones. Passengers who installed the app must use its self-diagnosis function daily for up to 14 days, entering once a day whether they exhibit symptoms suspicious of infection such as fever, cough, or sore throat.

According to the airline industry and Incheon International Airport Corporation, the number of travelers departing from Incheon Airport to Japan on that day was 116, and the number of passengers arriving from Japan to Incheon Airport was 202, totaling 318. This is about 1/115th of the average daily number of Japanese travelers in 2018 (36,792 people).

The entry bans between Korea and Japan due to COVID-19 are expected to continue for some time. What are the prospects for the airline and tourism industries going forward? We have gathered photos from the scene.

/Photo & text = Reporter Moon Honam munonam@

On the 9th, passengers arriving on a flight from Japan at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport are moving to undergo a three-step special entry procedure including quarantine and contact information verification. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, passengers arriving on a flight from Japan at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport are undergoing special entry procedures such as quarantine and contact information verification. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 9th, passengers arriving on a flight from Japan at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 are installing a self-diagnosis app on their mobile phones. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, the Korean Air ticketing counter at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport is quiet. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, the international terminal flight information board at Gimpo Airport displayed a notice of flight cancellations to Japan. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, a foreigner wearing protective clothing is walking in front of the departure information electronic board at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, aircraft are parked at the apron of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 9th, an official is cleaning a window at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. Beyond the window, aircraft that have suspended operations are parked on the apron. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

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