Global Aviation Industry Normalizes Crisis, 'Doing Everything Possible'

In-Flight Meal Delivery Service Even for Sightseeing Flights

On the 18th, when the aviation industry was hit hard by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and faced massive layoffs, the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport was deserted due to the impact of COVID-19. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis prolongs, domestic as well as global airlines are seeking ways to survive. In addition to sightseeing flights, recently, there have been numerous attempts to repurpose grounded aircraft as restaurants.

According to the industry on the 1st, Asiana Airlines will operate sightseeing flights on the 24th and 25th of this month using its super-large passenger aircraft A380-800. The flights will depart from Incheon International Airport, circle over Gangneung, Pohang, Gimhae, and Jeju, and then return. Although domestic, the flights offer in-flight meals, resembling international air travel experiences.

Sightseeing flights refer to flights operated under the current Aviation Business Act that take off from a point for tourism purposes, follow a predetermined route without intermediate landings, and land back at the departure point. While sightseeing flights have been conducted domestically before, except for small aviation operators running tours over the Namhae archipelago, large airlines have not participated until now.

Asiana Airlines’ sightseeing flights sold out on the day of reservation, the 24th of last month (for tickets sold directly by Asiana Airlines). Despite prices ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 KRW per seat, all 312 seats prepared by Asiana Airlines were sold out. An industry insider commented, "This likely reflects the strong nostalgia among customers for international air travel."

This trend is not limited to national carriers. Global airlines, also pushed to the brink of survival, are struggling to devise such desperate measures. Recently, Taiwanese airlines launched sightseeing flight products flying over foreign airspace such as Jeju and Okinawa, taking the lead ahead of Asiana Airlines’ sightseeing flights.

Some have started offering in-flight meal services. Thai Airways recently created a restaurant modeled after an airplane cabin to sell in-flight meals, and Singapore Airlines, the flagship carrier of Singapore, is also using its A380 aircraft as a restaurant. They plan to offer in-flight meal delivery services in the future.

The industry expects these survival strategies by airlines to continue for the time being. This is because the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to last at least 2 to 3 years. In fact, Korea Ratings recently stated in a report, "In the second half of next year, epidemic control will begin mainly in developed countries, and travel restrictions will be gradually lifted in regions where traveler safety is guaranteed," adding, "Air travel demand is expected to normalize after 2023, but it will take a considerable period to recover to the levels of 2019."

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