The Golden Era Ends for COVID-19... Regional Airports in Partial Shutdown

Daegu, Cheongju, and Yangyang barely maintain domestic flights... Muan Airport suspends even domestic flights

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Regional international airports have been placed in a 'business suspension' state due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The demand contraction and travel restrictions imposed by various countries on travelers from Korea have caused international routes to virtually converge to '0 (zero)'.

According to the industry on the 10th, among the seven regional international airports nationwide (Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu, Cheongju, Muan, Yangyang International Airports), four airports?Daegu, Cheongju, Muan, and Yangyang?have completely suspended international flights. Daegu, Cheongju, and Yangyang airports are barely maintaining domestic flights. Based on departures on this day, Daegu will operate 2 flights, Cheongju 8 flights, and Yangyang 1 flight, all domestic flights to Jeju. Compared to January 20 (Monday), when the first COVID-19 case was confirmed, the number of flights has decreased by 70-90% respectively.

In the case of Muan Airport, all flights, including domestic and international, have been completely suspended since the 6th, following the suspension of the Muan-Jeju route. This is the first time since its opening in 2007 that all routes, domestic and international, have been suspended.

The situation is not much different for Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports, which still have some international routes remaining. As of departures on this day, the number of international flights at these airports is only 2, 3, and 3 respectively.

Regional domestic airports have expanded their number of users every year over the past several years due to the aggressive hub strategies of LCCs. Last year alone, Daegu Airport achieved 4.66 million passengers, Cheongju Airport 3 million, and Muan Airport 890,000 passengers. Thanks to this, Daegu Airport recorded profits for four consecutive years starting in 2016, and Cheongju Airport was also expecting to return to profitability from this year.

However, with the rapid contraction of air travel demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the strengthening of entry restrictions by various countries, the situation has changed 180 degrees. A Korea Airports Corporation official said, "Although the increase in domestic COVID-19 cases is slowing, it will take considerable time for demand to recover," adding, "At present, it seems difficult to expect Cheongju Airport to return to profitability, and Daegu Airport is also expected to incur losses."

As airports face a crisis, airlines are also deeply troubled. Korea's largest airline, Korean Air, stated that the situation is "more difficult than during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) foreign exchange crisis" and has begun preparing countermeasures. Woo Ki-hong, President of Korean Air, wrote on the company bulletin board yesterday, "As of now, about 100 out of 145 passenger aircraft are grounded and unable to operate," and added, "Even if we have to seek cooperation from employees for the survival of the company, we will strictly adhere to the basic principle of minimizing individual sacrifices."

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